PHOENIX - When one watches Jay Bruce and his accomplished, stylish Baseball demeanor, it is easy to forget he is only 22 years old, and when asked that very question, Bruce smiled and said, "Yeah, sometimes they do."
That was the case the last two days in Chase Field. No matter where the Cincinnati Reds are, manager Dusty Baker has former players - former teammates and guys who played for him as a manager - stop into his office for a visit. On this trip, former stars Chili Davis and Matt Williams paid visits, and Baker called Bruce into his office for introductions.
"Jay didn't know Chili, didn't know who he played for," Baker said. "When I told him Chili hit 350 home runs, he said, 'Really, wow.' And he asked me if Matt Williams could hit a little bit, and I said, 'Not a little bit, a whole lot.' "
Davis played 19 years for five teams, mostly the San Francisco Giants, and drove in 1,372 runs. Williams played 17 years, mostly with the Giants and Arizona Diamondbacks, and hit 378 home runs with 1,218 RBIs.
"Oh, I'd heard the names," Bruce said. "I just didn't know who they played for. I'll tell you one thing, I talked with Davis, and he told me a lot of good things about hitting."
Filling in at first
When Joey Votto can't play, catcher Ramon Hernandez steps in at first base, and while he sometimes appears a bit awkward, he made two eyepopping plays Tuesday, May 12.
"I do the best I can do to help win a game," he said. "I played first base in winter ball a lot. I won MVP in the Caribbean World Series one year playing first base - for my hitting, not my glove.
"I play first base in winter ball to rest my legs after I catch up here," he said. "All you do at first base is stand around, and your legs get tight. When you catch, you use your legs, always moving around, and you are always loose. You get tired, but you're always loose.
"I hope Votto stays well and healthy so he can take his position and I can keep my position as catcher," Hernandez said with a smile.
Gonzo returning
Alex Gonzalez took batting practice Tuesday and Wednesday, and Baker said, "I was looking for signs of him wincing but I didn't see it. I've done everything I can to hold him off, and he'll play Friday (in San Diego). He's my shortstop."
Save for Janish
The Reds are 5-1 since shortstop Paul Janish pitched the ninth inning of a 15-3 loss to Milwaukee. Even though Janish gave up five runs, Baker credits him with a huge "S" for save.
"I've thanked him several times," Baker said. "He put us back in sync with our bullpen. He saved us, saved our bullpen."
Quote of the day
"Arizona beats Florida for spring training. Spring training here is much better." - Jerry Hairston Jr., a little prejudiced because he lives in North Scottsdale, after hearing several people visited the Reds' new spring training site Wednesday in Goodyear.
