SARASOTA, Fla. - Jonny Gomes says he wouldn't endorse any major-league aspirant to come into camp as a non-tendered, non-roster player - but he is doing right by it.
"That definitely makes you get ready for spring training and I did come in ready," he said, after hitting his second home run of the spring in the Reds' 6-5 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday, March 8. He also has two doubles. And he is an outfielder trying to show the Reds he can play first base, even though he has seldom played there.
"You never know what will be asked of you and sure enough they dropped first base on me," he said. "So I took it with a smile, borrowed a glove and have been over there."
Whose glove? "Don't know," he said. "Some catcher's. But being on the non-40-man minor-league roster, I had to come in here ready mentally and physically. I have and it is paying off right now."
Gonzo's batwork
After getting a hit in each of his first two games as a DH, Alex Gonzalez struck out twice Sunday, but still has Baker's attention with his bat.
Trouble is, there is no DH in the National League and Gonzalez's total recovery remains a mystery until he shows he can play in the field.
That won't happen until Tuesday when the Reds play the New York Yankees in Tampa.
"Alex is swinging the bat good and that's what is surprising me," Baker said. "All those months (not playing). His stroke is pretty good. That's why we're DH-ing him, because I figured his glove would come quicker than his bat."
Votto's eruption
Baker was happy to see Joey Votto get four hits for Team Canada against Team USA, or as coach Eric Davis said, "Four hits? Four ropes. He crushed all four of those."
Said Baker, "He was scuffling after he left camp and I was checking the box scores and I don't think he got a hit in any of their exhibition games."
Cuts and cash
Sometimes Baker can be deadly honest, as when he was asked if the first team cuts would be delayed because so many players are absent while playing in the World Baseball Classic.
"Cuts have to do with payday," he said. "Most of the time it has to do with payday. It is a cold-hearted fact. But that's about as truthful as you can say it. It happens on every job."
Payday is March 15.
Quote of the day
"Willy must not have been here the day Dusty told us not to run on that dude - you shut it down on that dude, you just don't run." - Brandon Phillips after hearing that Willy Taveras was thrown out at third base by Netherlands catcher Kenley Jansen with one out in the ninth and the Dominican team trailing, 3-2, in the World Baseball Classic.
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