Then he said some things.

"Did anybody last year know that Johnny Cueto would be in our rotation? Did anybody last year know that Edinson Volquez would win 17 games? Did anybody last year know that Aaron Harang would lose 17 games?

"I don't care what people say? That's why we play the games. I sometimes wish I had a crystal ball, but that would take the fun out of it.

"Anyway I see improvement," he added, emphatically.

Quick quiz

With Ken Griffey Jr. and Adam Dunn gone, name the top three Reds in terms of service.

Answer: Aaron Harang (six years), David Weathers (five years), Edwin Encarnacion (four years). Ramon Hernandez turned to the catcher next to him and said, "Man, doesn't this guy ever throw balls? Nothing but strikes so far." here?' And I'd say, 'They haven't caught up to me yet.'

"Then I got fired and was at home when my phone rang. It was Willie Mays and he said, 'Well, I see they caught up to you.' "

When the pitchers came back to the clubhouse after the first day's workout, they found personally inscribed valentines from Pole that said, "You're magical."

Around the Pole

Pitching coach Dick Pole walked into the clubhouse and said, "I'm back. They haven't found me yet. When I coached for the Giants, every spring Willie Mays would say, 'You still

Homer on target

Pitchers threw off a mound for 10 minutes Saturday, Feb. 14, and about eight minutes into Homer Bailey's session, catcher

Quote of the day

"See how far the game has come? I'm a coach who used to carry a ball and a fungo bat. Now I'm carrying a printer in one hand and a laptop in the other. I spend the offseason working out at Staples." - third-base coach Mark Berry, the man who makes out the daily work schedules.