The eastern leg of the Cincinnati Reds Caravan kicked off at The Market on East State Street in Athens Thursday night.
The eastern leg of the Cincinnati Reds Caravan kicked off at The Market on East State Street in Athens Thursday night.
Ohio University alumnus Thom Brennaman emceed the festivities in front of the large crowd of fans.
Brennaman, along with Reds general manager Walt Jocketty, Hall of Fame outfielder Eric Davis, reliever Sam Lecure, catcher Tucker Barnhart and outfielding prospect Kyle Waldrop, made Athens the team’s first stop on its four-day tour that spans five cities and three states.
The evening kicked off predictably, with a fan asking Brennaman what his favorite Athens bar was, to which the broadcaster replied, “all of them.” Owner Bob Castellini followed with the not-so-predictable news that Pete Rose would be permitted to participate in All-Star week at Cincinnati in July, which was met with enthusiastic applause from the audience.
Each panelist got a good amount of attention, perhaps none more than Davis, who addressed the prospect of managing someday — “never say never” — and provided many fond statements about centerfielder Billy Hamilton.
Jocketty, meanwhile, was forced to answer questions about the signing of veteran Marlon Byrd and the health of right fielder Jay Bruce and first baseman Joey Votto, all of which prompted positive responses from Cincinnati’s leader of baseball operations.
However, no speaker generated as much positive energy in the room as Sam LeCure.
“Nobody’s talking about us, and I think that’s going to bode well for us,” LeCure said. “We’re going to sneak up and surprise a lot of people this year.”
The next stop for the caravan is Charleston, West Virginia Friday.
@_TONYWOLFE_
