SARASOTA, Fla. - While most of the Cincinnati Reds were day-offing on Monday, March 16, in quest of birdies and fish and going all-in, Jeff Keppinger was in a covered batting cage at Ed Smith Stadium in quest of his stroke.
After starting the spring hitting .120, he collected three hits in his last two games to raise his average to .207. Manager Dusty Baker knows what the versatile Keppinger can do, but that doesn't mean the 28-year-old Georgian can relax.
"I've been with four teams in spring training as a firsttimer and I know you have to impress early," Keppinger said. "If you don't, the at-bats shrink and the manager forgets about you.
"That doesn't mean you can't play. And even if the manager knows you, if you don't produce, there is always another player knocking on the back door ready to take your place."
So, on an off day, Keppinger swings and swings and swings.
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