C-6 — NEWS JOURNAL —FEBRUARY 1, 2012 Forcht Broadcasting hosts local stop for Cincinnati Reds Caravan Voice of the Reds, Marty Brennaman says 2012 is beginning of a window of opportunity ■ By Dean Manning has been a grand slam home- dmanning@ run.” corbinnewsjournal.com Brennaman quickly point- ed to several things must Coming off a season that happen for the Reds to be began with high expectations in the playoff hunt. He said but quickly turned sour, the pitcher Bronson Arroyo, who Cincinnati Reds are just a few was sidelined at the begin- weeks from officially putting ning of the 2011 season with it behind them when pitchers mononucleosis and never and catchers report to spring returned to form and third training in Goodyear, Ariz. baseman Scott Rolen, who On Feb. 18. only played 65 games due Friday afternoon, Reds’ to health problems, must All-star second baseman both show some semblence Brandon Phillips and Hall of 2010 when the Reds won Of Fame broadcaster Marty the central division. Arroyo Brennaman led a contingent, when 17-10 in 215 innings which also included former of work, while Rolen hit .285 Reds pitcher and current tele- with 20 homeruns and 85 vision commentator Chris RBI’s in 133 games. Welch, catching prospect “The worst case scene- Tucker Barnhart, Reds’ great rio is that Arroyo continues Lee May, Assistant General his downward slide, but I Manager Bob Miller and Nick have confidence that he will St.Pierre AKA “Gapper,” at bounce back,” Brennaman the Forcht Broadcasting stu- said. dios in London where they With Mike Leake taking spoke about the upcoming the fourth spot in the start- season to listeners on WANV, ing rotation, Brennaman WFTG and WWEL. said the final spot will come Brennaman, who is going down to Homer Bailey and into his 39th season call- Aroldis Chapman. Ideally, ing the Reds’ games on the Baily will get the spot and Reds Radio Network, which Chapman, whom the Reds includes WFTG 1400 AM, Photo by DEAN MANNING have announced will return This year may belong to the Reds: Hall of Fame broadcaster Mary Brennaman was one of the members of the Cincinnati said with the additions the to a starting pitcher after Reds have made in the off- Reds Caravan that stopped in London Friday. In an interview with Mike Tarter on SAM 103.9, Brennaman said the Reds have two years in the bullpen, made a lot of moves to improve the team after a disappointing 2011 season and coupled with veterans such as Scott Rolen season along with the losses will begin the year at triple- division rivals St. Louis and staying healthy and youngsters such as Drew Stubbs and Devin Mesorcao stepping up, the team should contend for the National A Louisville to continue to League Central Division Title in 2012. The Reds can be heard all season long on WFTG AM 1400. Milwaukee suffered with the develop. departure of Albert Pujols Though the bullpen is and Prince Fielder, respec- stacked, Brennaman said the the number of strikeouts. The multiple outfield positions face behind the plate. Joining a trade deadline move that tively, the Reds, on paper, final “if” will be whether the trio accounted for 500 strike- gives Baker a lot of flexibil- veteran Ryan Hannigan will could put the team over the will be in the thick of the starters can eat up enough outs in 2011, with Stubbs, ity in the lineup. be rookie Devin Mesoraco. top. That is showing up at the race for the National League innings to keep manager initially penciled in as the Brennaman said Rolen will Brennaman said Mesoraco ballpark. He noted that rivals Central Division crown. Dusty Baker from overusing leadoff hitter, posting 205 of be a key in the offense as has the tools to be a big St. Louis and Milwaukee reg- “There is a lot to be opti- the relievers. them to, “lead the world.” well, not only for the poten- league catcher. It is just a ularly draw three million fans mistic about,” Brennaman “The bullpen was just “If they can each reduce tial numbers he puts up, but question of whether he can compared with Cincinnati’s said, noting the acquisi- worn out,” Brennaman said their strikeouts by 50, that because he gives Baker a consistently hit major league 2.2 million. tion of starting pitcher John of 2011. would be a heck of a year,” solid cleanup hitter and right- pitching. “You folks are important Latos, who is projected to While he has no wor- Brennaman said. handed bat to slot between With the moves General to us,” Brennaman said of help fill out the front of rota- ries that the Reds will score With the addition of left-handed hitters Joey Votto Manager Walt Jockety had the fans in southeastern tion behind Johnny Cueto, enough runs, Brennaman Ludwig, Brennaman said the and Jay Bruce. made in the offseason, Kentucky and the other areas relievers Sean Marshall and said the outfield trio of Chris Reds now have four starting “He has to stay healthy,” Brennaman said Reds fans of the tri-state area where the Ryan Madson and outfielder Heisey, Drew Stubbs and Jay outfielders, but the fact that Brennaman said of Rolen. must do their part to put caravan has ventured. “We Ryan Ludwig. “Every move Bruce, must cut down on Heisey, and Ludwig can play Reds fans will see a new the team in position to make want your interest.” Phillips embraces role as lead-off hitter in ‘12 Ready to get the Reds’ hit train started Photo by DEAN MANNING Do you know me: Nick St. Pierre is one of the most well-known Reds, suiting up to bring mascot “Gapper” to life since 2003. St. Pierre said he didn’t intend to make being a mascot a career, but encourages anyone looking to get into the mascot world to start early, especially in high school. Face of the franchise Nick St. Pierre, AKA ‘Gapper’ will Photo by DEAN MANNING Leading off for the Reds: All-star second baseman Brandon Phillips is going into the 2012 be at all Reds home games in ‘12 season as the Reds’ leadoff hitter. During an interview Friday WANV 96.7, Phillips promised ■ By Dean Manning looks like a long lost cousin to may take the Gapper show on Reds’ fans the upcoming season will be totally different from the 2011 season that saw the Reds dmanning@ the Philly Phanatic, St. Pierre the road to clown around with finish 17 games behind division winner St. Louis. The Reds open the season April 5 at home corbinnewsjournal.com said that is not by accident, but with some of his fellow mascots against the Miami Marlins. Most of the members of the added that he has done every- in the Majors and even some Cincinnati Reds Caravan that thing to ensure the similarities Minor League parks. ■ By Dean Manning take the National League Central Division end there. “Being a mascot means you [email protected] crown, the 2011 season was a disappoint- stopped in London Friday are relatively familiar faces as they Along with Gapper, the Reds are part of a fraternity,” St. Pierre ment no matter how you look at it. have mascots, “Mr. Redlegs” explained, adding that he has While Phillips hit .300 with 18 homeruns, are regularly splashed on televi- When the Cincinnati Reds open the sion. and Rosie Red.” In 2012, the trio a friendly relationship with 82 RBI’s and 14 stolen bases, it was by will become a quartet as “Mr. his fellow mascots even rivals season on April 5 against the Miami any measure a disappointing year as the However, one of the most Marlins, Brandon Phillips will trot out to famous members of Reds was Red takes the field once again. Fredbird the St. Louis Cardinal Reds went 79-83 and finished 17 games St. Pierre said the scoreboard and Bernie Brewer. his familiar position at second base. behind division winner St. Louis. the most unrecognizable as he When the Reds come to bat, Phillips didn’t have his game face on. races featuring Redlegs, Rosie While in Milwaukee, he has “I promise, this year is going to be and Red will become live-action even changed outfits, exchang- said he hopes the leadoff position in the totally different,” Phillips said. Nick St. Pierre is going into lineup will become just as familiar as his ninth season with the Reds. at select games this season. ing Gapper for one of the sau- Phillips acknowledged that a series of “Gapper will be the foil in the sages in the Brewers’ famous second base. injuries to key players including pitchers The position he plays is the most “We needs someone to get the train notable, especially to children, races,” St. Pierre said. “Sausage” Races. Bronson Arroyo and Edison Volquez and In addition to his part in the St. Pierre admits he did not started,” Phillips said during an interview third baseman Scott Rolen contributed as he is the man who brings Friday when the Cincinnati Reds caravan “Gapper” the mascot to life. races, St. Pierre said Gapper look at Gapper as a career when to the Reds’ woes in 2011, but said the will be walking around Great he first donned the suit, but has stopped in London. “I can use all of my disappointment of 2011 is serving to feed St. Pierre said he got the job tools, including getting the chance to run in 2003 when Reds manage- American Ballpark at each and since come to embrace his place the team’s desire to reach the playoffs in every Reds game and will have within the Cincinnati Reds orga- more.” 2012.