SARASOTA, Fla. - Eric Davis looks as if he could still step into the batter's box and whack a few into the palm trees beyond the leftfield fence, "And I probably could if somebody ran for me," he said.
Davis, 46, is in camp working with the Cincinnati Reds outfielders and aiding in base-running instruction after a career during which he once hit 37 homers, twice drove in 100 or more runs and stole 80 bases one year. His opinion not only counts, it means something, so when he speaks, people listen.
And listen to this.
"This team reminds me of the 1990 team," he said. "We had a good mixture of young players and veteran players - with the veterans where it counts. Pitching.
"It's like how the Nasty Boys (Norm Charlton, Rob Dibble, Randy Myers) did it in the bullpen in 1990 - turn over the lead after six innings and win the game," Davis said.
The 1990 team beat the Oakland A's four straight in the World Series.
And Davis loves the outfield competition.
"I'm impressed with so many of them," he said. "They have some speed and some ability. They're going to have some tough decisions to make. It's like I tell these guys, 'Play hard, make it tough on them, and if you don't get a job here, you'll get one somewhere else.' "
He was referring to guys such as Norris Hopper, Jacque Jones, Jonny Gomes, Darnell McDonald and Laynce Nix.
A local product
There is a Dayton face wearing a Reds uniform this spring - Centerville native/ pitcher Jeff Kennard. His uniform No. 70 says he is a long shot, but he can be valuable insurance at Louisville (AAA) or even Carolina (AA).
Kennard, 27, was originally signed as a 40th-round pick by the New York Yankees in 2000 and was traded to the Los Angeles Angels in July 2007.
He was released last September, and when his Cincinnati-based agent, Joe Bick, called to ask if he wanted to sign with the Reds, Kennard was thrilled.
"Always a big Reds fan growing up - the Big Red Machine (but he was born in 1981), the Nasty Boys," he said. "I was told I was a Red while watching the Ohio State-USC game at an OSU party in Centerville. I said, 'Oh, yes.' "
Soaking it up
It is always pleasurable watching young players in their first big-league camp, such as 23-year-old shortstop Todd Frazier, owner of a .298 career average for his two minor-league seasons.
The Reds made him a first-round supplemental pick in 2007 as compensation for the San Francisco Giants signing free agent Rich Aurilia.
"This is the best of the best," Frazier said. "I'm just soaking everything up and enjoying playing with these guys and learning new things that will help me during the season."
Frazier knows full houses and straights. He beat 560 other Texas Hold 'Em players at RedsFest in December and donated his $10,000 prize to the Reds Community Fund.
Quote of the day
"Love, Joey Votto," is signed on a magazine cover photo of Votto hanging on Jerry Hairston Jr.'s locker. "He asked for it," Votto said. "I'd never do it on my own, unless it was a joke."
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