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Brandon Phillips News & Rumors

Why hasn't extension for Phillips happened?
February 9
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"A couple of interesting links worth sharing about why the Reds still haven't agreed with second baseman Brandon Phillips on a contract extension. MLB.com's Mark Sheldon reported on his blog that the Reds are no closer to an extension with Phillips. From Sheldon: "Not really," Jocketty said. "We really haven't had a chance to talk with them. Hopefully in the next few weeks, it's something we can address." Jocketty said he did not believe Phillips' side had set any deadline for talks ending before the season starts. "I think this could go on for a while," Jocketty said."
BP sliding in safely for Redsfest
December 2
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Brandon Phillips is coming to Redsfest after all. Phillips was not confirmed as a participant until Thursday. But he said concerns about him not showing were overblown. "Have I ever missed Redsfest?" he said. "No. Exactly. Nobody had nothing to worry about." But Phillips is in the midst of negotiating a contract extension with the club. The talks haven't always moved as quickly as Phillips would have liked, so it would not have been stunning if he skipped Redsfest. Whether his presence means anything is hard to say. Phillips tweeted Tuesday that he was pleased with the progress of the negotiations. He had no update Thursday. "To tell you the truth, I really don't know right now," he said."
Brandon Phillips not scheduled for Redsfest
November 30
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Fan favorite Brandon Phillips is not scheduled to appear at Redsfest this weekend. Phillips' representatives are negotiating a contract extension, so his pending absence at Redsfest could have been read as a bad sign. Phillips has been a fixture at Redsfest and the Winter Caravan since joining the team. But Phillips, aka @datdudebp, put this out on Twitter Tuesday evening: "Just talked to my agent @Baseball_ACES and it feels good to know that we're moving in the right direction to make me a #Red4Life #ALLREADY""
Reds: Phillips extension has 'ways to go'
November 29
MLB.com
 
"In very much 21st-century fashion, Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips hinted Tuesday night that he and the club are closing in on a long-term contract extension, though Cincinnati indicated it could still be a while before a deal is reached. "Just talked to my agent @Baseball_ACES and it feels good to know that we're moving in the right direction to make me a #Red4Life," Phillips posted on his Twitter feed, @datdudeBP. When reached for comment, Reds general manager Walt Jocketty didn't believe a deal was near."
Jocketty meets with Phillips' reps
November 17
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Reds general manager Walt Jocketty met with the representatives for second baseman Brandon Phillips Wednesday at the General Manager Meetings in Milwaukee. "It went fine," Jocketty said. "We had a nice meeting. We made progress, good progress." A deal is not in the immediate offing. "It's a process," Jocketty said. Phillips is seeking a long-term deal. The Reds exercised his $12 million option in early November and agreed to keep talking about a contract extension. Wednesday's meeting was the first since then."
Brandon Phillips wins Silver Slugger award
November 3
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"For a player currently negotiating a new contract, Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips has had two very good days. He won his first Silver Slugger award Wednesday after winning his third Gold Glove in four years on Tuesday. The Silver Slugger is given to top hitter in each league at his position. Phillips led National League second basemen in average at .300 and runs at 94. He also had 18 home runs and 82 RBI this season. His RBI total was second best in the NL. Phillips is first Red to win a Silver Slugger at any position since Felipe Lopez won in 2005. Phillips becomes the first to win the Silver Slugger and the Gold Glove in the same season since his boyhood hero, Barry Larkin, did it"
Reds Brandon Phillips, Joey Votto win Gold Gloves
November 2
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Red first baseman Joey Votto and second baseman Brandon Phillips won Gold Glove awards, which were announced late Tuesday night. It was Phillips' third Gold Glove in four years. It was the first for Votto. He became, in fact, the first Reds' first baseman to win a Gold Glove award. Jay Bruce was also a finalist, but the right fielder lost out to Andre Ethier of the Dodgers. The awards are voted on by major league coaches and managers."
Reds pick up Phillips' option, decline Cordero's
October 31
MLB.com
 
"The Reds made a flurry of roster moves on Monday, most notably picking up the 2012 option on second baseman Brandon Phillips and declining closer Francisco Cordero's option. Phillips' option was worth $12 million. So was Cordero's, but he will instead get a stipulated $1 million buyout and become a free agent. "We'll still continue to talk to both players about long-term deals," said Reds general manager Walt Jocketty. "We didn't want to pick up Cordero for the amount of money it would be.""
Reds could be in market for a closer
October 31
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"The Reds could be in the market for a new closer. The club declined the $12 million option on Francisco Cordero Monday. The sides will continue to talk, but there's a chance Cordero will end up elsewhere. "We didn't want to bring him back at that salary," Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said. "We're still hopeful that we can reach a new deal, but this also gives him an opportunity to check the market.""
Phillips apparent solution at leadoff
October 1
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"The Reds answered the Brandon Phillips question - at least for the near future - when general manager Walt Jocketty said the club will definitely pick up Phillips' $12 million option. The club is also talking with Phillips' representatives about extending his contract. (We'll examine how wise that is a little later). But the more immediate question is this: Can Phillips be the solution at leadoff for 2012? The Reds seem set on this -unless something better comes long. "Yeah, I think he is (the leadoff man) - until we find someone better," Jocketty said. "He's demonstrated that he can handle it well." Phillips wants to lead off. "I'm going into the offseason to get ready to be the leadoff"
Jocketty says Phillips will be a Red
September 22
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Brandon Phillips will definitely be back for 2012. If he's back beyond that, remains to be seen. Phillips (aka @datdudebp) tweeted this before the Reds' home finale: "DAMN... Got a lot on my mind! Can't believe that today "MIGHT" be the last time I may be wearing a @Reds jersey playing at #GABP #NoBueno" Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said there is no chance of that being the case. "He'll be with us," Jocketty said. "We've had some talks with his agent (about an extension)." Even if the Reds are unable to reach an agreement on an extension, the Reds will pick up Phillips' $12 million option for 2012."
Phillips trying to elbow his way onto the field
August 14
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Brandon Phillips said he is ready to play. Reds manager Dusty Baker wants to be sure. All-Star second baseman Phillips was out of the lineup for a fourth straight game Saturday but probably will return today, Baker said. Phillips suffered a bruised left elbow when hit by a pitch Tuesday. Phillips took batting practice and did some defensive work at second base before Saturday's game. "I told him I could come off the bench, if you need me," Phillips said. "I can come in on defense or a double switch or something. I'm getting there." Baker said he was told Phillips is about ready. When Baker gets such word, he usually gives the affected player one more day off before returning him to the"
Sore elbow sidelines 2B Phillips
August 12
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Add another name to the Reds' list of walking wounded. Second baseman Brandon Phillips said he will miss five games after taking a pitch off his left elbow in Tuesday night's game. "X-rays were negative," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "It was right on the tip of the elbow. It might be a couple of days." Phillips posted on Twitter that he got two diagnoses: traumatic lateral epicondylitis and a contusion to the lateral extensor mechanism. In layman's terms, he has a bruised elbow. Baker did not think Phillips was struck in retaliation for pointing in the dugout after hitting a home run the night before. "I don't know what a purpose pitch is," Baker said. "I don't think it was a fastball."
Sore elbow sidelines 2B Phillips
August 11
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Add another name to the Reds' list of walking wounded. Second baseman Brandon Phillips said he will miss five games after taking a pitch off his left elbow in Tuesday night's game. "X-rays were negative," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "It was right on the tip of the elbow. It might be a couple of days." Phillips posted on Twitter that he got two diagnoses: traumatic lateral epicondylitis and a contusion to the lateral extensor mechanism. In layman's terms, he has a bruised elbow. Baker did not think Phillips was struck in retaliation for pointing in the dugout after hitting a home run the night before. "I don't know what a purpose pitch is," Baker said. "I don't think it was a fastball."
Brandon Phillips hurt in loss to Cubs
August 7
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"One thing you could rely on in this unpredictably disappointing season for the Reds was a solid start every fifth day from Johnny Cueto. Until Saturday. Cueto had his first really bad outing of the year. He pitched 3 2/3 innings and allowed five runs on seven hits as the reeling Reds fell to the Chicago Cubs 11-4 Saturday before a crowd of 41,978 at Wrigley Field. Cueto walked three, hit two batters and showed none of his usual pinpoint command. "He wasn't sharp early in the count," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "He was spinning off. We were hoping he'd get sharp. We didn't make a couple of defensive plays ..." The Reds committed three errors. And Yonder Alonso continued to make playing"
'DatDudeBP' Brandon Phillips is gettin' it done
July 12
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"To many in the Reds clubhouse, Brandon Phillips seemed like a different guy the moment he arrived for spring training. Manager Dusty Baker, the coaches and players started seeing proof that Phillips was indeed a different guy. The second baseman's play has earned him a spot on the National League's All-Star roster for the second consecutive year in today's game. But this All-Star season is different than 2010 for the 30-year-old Phillips. It is his off-the-field maturity that makes those in the organization view him as evolving into a complete player. "He's matured big-time," Baker said. So far this season, Phillips has shown no signs of the player who would occasionally jog to first base"
Star trio would consider Home Run Derby
July 5
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"If asked, Jay Bruce and Brandon Phillips will swing away. Joey Votto will strongly consider it. None of the Reds' three All-Stars has heard anything about participating in the Home Run Derby. "I'd do it," Phillips said. "It's something to do. But why are they going to ask me? I've only got eight." Bruce would also jump at the chance. "I would do it," he said. "It's not something you're going to get the opportunity to do very often. It would be fun. But I'm sure there are a lot of guys on the list." Votto is as meticulous in his hitting preparation as anyone in baseball. A lot of players like that don't like to participate for fear it will throw their swing off. Still, Votto would consider"
Phillips banters with Cards fans via Twitter
July 5
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"This time around, Brandon Phillips had something positive to say about St. Louis food. In fact, the Cincinnati second baseman and target of much Cardinals fan displeasure found a restaurant a step above the Lunchables he bought from a St. Louis store in April. And while Phillips' choice of Sunday dinner — Oceano Bistro in Clayton — might not be of much importance, the avenue where his food selection announcement becomes memorable is: Twitter. Phillips, a big personality not afraid to say what's on his mind, is extending that to his online @DatDudeBP Twitter presence, and he's having fun doing it. He has tweeted 3,400 times since creating an account in January and has built a following that"
Three Reds named to All-Star team
July 4
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Jay Bruce joined Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips as reserves on the National League squad for the All-Star Game on July 12 in Phoenix. All three were voted in by the players. It is Bruce's first All-Star Game. Votto and Phillips are going back for the second straight year. Votto was thrilled his buddy, Bruce, made it. "I was probably more happy that he got in than myself," Votto said. "He had such great month. He hit so many homers. He deserved to get in. Brandon was a layup. It was an easy pick. I'm kind of surprised he's not starting. No disrespect to whoever's starting. (Brandon's) my teammate." Milwaukee second baseman Rickie Weeks beat out Phillips and Milwaukee first baseman Prince"
Three Reds named to All-Star team
July 3
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Jay Bruce joined Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips today as reserves on the National League squad for the All-Star Game on July 12 in Phoenix. All three were voted in by the players. It is Bruce's first All-Star Game. Votto and Phillips are going back for the second straight year. Votto was thrilled his buddy, Bruce, made it. "I was probably more happy that he got in than myself," Votto said. "He had such great month. He hit so many homers. He deserved to get in. Brandon was a layup. It was an easy pick. I'm kind of surprised he's not starting. No disrespect to whoever's starting. (Brandon's) my teammate." Milwaukee second baseman Rickie Weeks beat out Phillips and Milwaukee first baseman"
Brandon Phillips, Joey Votto slip in All-Star vote
June 28
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"It's coming down to the wire for Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips and first baseman Joey Votto to be voted in as National League starters in the All-Star Game July 12 in Arizona. With only four days left to vote, both players are in tight races. Monday, Phillips fell behind Milwaukee's Rickie Weeks, who had trailed the Red by almost 300,000 votes two weeks ago. But Weeks is now up by nearly 100,00 in the last update of the voting. At first base, St. Louis' Albert Pujols is the leader but is injured and will not be able to play. Milwaukee's Prince Fielder leads Votto by nearly 100,000 votes. Ballpark balloting is over but fans can still vote online at MLB.com until 11:59 p.m. Thursday."
Brandon Phillips wants contract extension
June 19
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Brandon Phillips will almost assuredly be a Red next year. He has a $12 million option. While no talks of an extension are currently going on, it sounds as if the Reds will exercise the option. Brandon Phillips will almost assuredly be a Red next year. He has a $12 million option. While no talks of an extension are currently going on, it sounds as if the Reds will exercise the option. "He's got an option," Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said. "That's what options are for. We might try to get something done later." But Phillips would like an extension beyond next year. "I told the Reds and the whole world this is where I want to be," Phillips said. "If it doesn't happen, I'm going to be"
Phillips: 'It's going to be hard to keep me here'
June 17
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Phillips on staying in Cincinnati: "It's going to be hard to keep me here … I'm not trying to break the bank. I'm just trying to be fair. I don't want Jayson Werth money or CC Sabathia money.""
Phillips aims to get back on upswing
June 11
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Brandon Phillips hasn't been hitting as much as he would like. Still, he delivered a clutch RBI single that helped the Reds beat the Giants 3-0 in Thursday's series opener. Phillips' two-out, ninth-inning single gave the Reds their final run and sent Giants fans streaming to the exits. Phillips was 2-for-5 Thursday as he tries to climb back toward the .300 mark. He entered Friday hitting .226 in June and .286 for the season. "All I've been doing lately is hitting the ball right at people," Phillips said. "I've been feeling good at the plate but I just haven't had the results. Tonight (Thursday), the ball just found some holes.""
Phillips likes being St. Louis' arch enemy
April 22
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Brandon Phillips knows the boo birds will be serenading him this weekend in St. Louis, where the Reds start a six-game road trip tonight. "Of course they're going to boo me. I love it," Phillips said. "They can boo me all they want. It's not going to make me not get any hits or anything like that." Phillips smiled frequently when asked about the Cardinals, who have become the Reds' chief NL Central rival. Fans are still trading Internet barbs about the bench-clearing brawl in Cincinnati last August, with the fight following some incendiary comments Phillips made about the Cardinals. Phillips was booed heavily when the Reds made their first trip to St. Louis after the brawl last Sept. 3-5"
Dusty knows best, Phillips admits
April 20
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Second baseman Brandon Phillips admitted that he stretched the truth in an effort to get back in the lineup. "I tried to lie," Phillips said. "I kept saying I was ready to play." Until Tuesday night, Phillips was overruled by manager Dusty Baker. Alas, Phillips was back in the lineup after missing four games with a slightly strained right groin. "I'm good," Phillips said. "I'm playing the game I love. I'm the type of person I'm going to play hurt. I wish I would have been in there. But Dusty did the best thing and forced me not to play. He knew I would have probably hurt myself again. Like I did last year with my hand. "I'm very happy to be able to help the team. This is like my second"
Phillips miffed at Dusty's decision to sit him
April 18
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"All-Star second baseman Brandon Phillips is a gamer who hates sitting on the bench. Sunday, Phillips missed a third consecutive game because of a groin injury. Phillips had hoped to be back by now. "Ask Dusty," Phillips said, declining further comment. Reds manager Dusty Baker is being cautious with Phillips, who was hurt when he planted and threw in the eighth inning last Wednesday (at San Diego). Baker said the disabled list is not an option, and that Phillips remains day-to-day. "He's getting better. We don't have to rush him back," Baker said. "We don't think we have to DL him, either. This (cold) weather isn't helping." One of Phillips' Twitter followers wrote him Sunday and told"
Brandon Phillips thriving in two spot for Reds
April 12
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Brandon Phillips is off to the hottest start of the Reds not named Joey Votto. Phillips went into Monday's late game hitting .389 with a home run and five RBI. He was tied with Votto for the team lead with 12 runs. Phillips hit .236 last April. He says one of the big differences this year is he went into spring knowing he was going to hit at the top of order. "Spring was different for me from the year before," he said. "I had a different role. I came into spring knowing I was going to hit leadoff or I was going to be second. I knew I had to have a different approach. I had to become a different player for the team, instead of for myself. "In the past, when I was hitting fourth, it was all"
Brandon Phillips grateful to be a Cincinnati Red
March 30
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Brandon Phillips enters Opening Day with a very secure job. He is coming off an All-Star Star, Gold Glove year. He is a player Reds fans love. He's an autographing-signing, Winter-Caravan-attending, Twitter-sending marketing dream. But Phillips doesn't have to go far back to an Opening Day when not only did he have job security -- he didn't have a job. A few days before Opening Day in 2006, the Cleveland Indians designated Phillips, once one of the bright stars in the stars in organization, for assignment. Phillips was out of options and had a reputation of being hard to deal with. He sat at home for a week before the Reds acquired him on April 7 for a player-to-be-named. The Reds"
Phillips wants contract extension
February 28
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Brandon Phillips' baseball hero growing up was Barry Larkin. Phillips would like to follow in Larkin's spike steps and finish his career as a Red. But there's the matter of his contract. Phillips is in the final season of a four-year, $27 million contract. The club holds a $12 million option for 2012. The Reds have at least broached the subject of a contract extension for Phillips. "We talked to his agent in the fall," Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said. "He hasn't come back to us yet. His agent is supposed to be out here this spring. We'll talk again." Phillips said he doesn't want to go anywhere else. "I love it here," he said. "Love the city of Cincinnati. I love the fans. The Reds"
NL Gold Glove winners announced
November 10
MLB.com
 
"It was the National League's turn to take home the gold on Wednesday -- the Gold Glove Awards, that is. And for the second year running, there was a batch of fresh faces earning baseball's highest defensive honor. Among the players who picked up their first Gold Gloves were shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and outfielder Carlos Gonzalez of the Rockies and Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo. For the influx of new winners, there were also a host of repeat winners, including Cards catcher Yadier Molina, first baseman Albert Pujols, Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips, Reds third baseman Scott Rolen, Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino and Astros outfielder Michael Bourn. Voting for the Gold Glove Awards"
Phillips leads off, but offense doesn't follow
October 7
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Brandon Phillips was back to batting leadoff Wednesday, and the Reds usually have excelled with him in that spot in their order. It didn't work out that way Wednesday when Phillips, like the rest of the Reds, was held hitless by Philadelphia's Roy Halladay in a 4-0 loss to the Phillies in the National League Division Series opener. But in the regular season, Cincinnati was 43-29 with Phillips leading off. Phillips, who went 0-for-4 with a strikeout Wednesday, had not hit leadoff much recently. A slump led to him being dropped in the order after Sept. 24, and since then he had batted leadoff only twice before Wednesday. Before the game, Reds manager Dusty Baker said Phillips, who hit .353"
Wrist still ouchy, so Phillips pinch-runs
August 30
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Brandon Phillips (wrist) missed his third straight start Sunday, but Phillips pinch-ran and scored the run that put Cincinnati up 7-5 in the eighth inning. "He's getting better, but he's not there yet," manager Dusty Baker said. Second baseman Phillips was hit on the right wrist last Wednesday by a 95 mph fastball, courtesy of Giants pitcher Santiago Casilla. Phillips fielded some ground balls before Sunday's game, and was seen flexing his hand after throwing. Phillips also has been squeezing a ball of putty, to get his grip back. When injured, Phillips was leading the National League in runs scored (90) and hits (151). Phillips, hand wrapped, scored Sunday on an infield single by Jonny"
Phillips leaves game after being hit by pitch
August 26
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"The Reds' 12-11 win over the San Francisco Giants in 12 innings was obviously dramatic. The Reds will find out in the next day or two if it was costly. Brandon Phillips was hit on the right wrist by a 95 mph fastball from Santiago Casilla in the fifth inning. Phillips stayed in the game to run the bases but he left before the bottom of the inning. "We don't know," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "They took some X-rays." Phillips will be X-rayed again when swelling subsides. He told a reporter he is concerned. Phillips is a key component for the Reds. He is hitting .290 with 16 home runs and 50 RBI. He's tied for the team lead with 90 runs scored. He has also played sensationally at second"
Phillips plans to appeal his fine
August 14
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Brandon Phillips said he'll appeal his fine from Tuesday's brawl with the St. Louis Cardinals. He also said he will not change his outspoken ways. The Reds second baseman made some disparaging remarks about the Cardinals on Monday, including calling them "little (expletives)." The melee came after Phillips and catcher Yadier Molina exchanged words at home plate. Phillips, teammate Russ Springer, and Cardinals players Molina and Chris Carpenter were fined undisclosed amounts. Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto was suspended for seven games, and managers Dusty Baker and Tony La Russa drew two-game suspensions. Cueto also was fined. Phillips, when asked Friday about appealing the fine, replied with a"
Phillips 'just mad that we lost the game'
August 11
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Those who wondered if the comments of Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips a day earlier calling the Cardinals a bunch of big babies would create any bad blood, got their answer Tuesday. A seven-minute melee opened the bottom of the first inning when Phillips stepped into the batter's box, tapped his bat to catcher Yadier Molina's shinguard in the usual ritual. Molina took umbrage, pushed the bat away and stood up to confront Phillips, emptying the dugouts and bullpens. The meet-and-greet deteriorated into some shoving and a scrape between Cards ace Chris Carpenter and Reds third baseman Scott Rolen. The scrum moved toward the backstop, pinning starting pitcher Johnny Cueto with his back"
Phillips sticks to his comments
August 11
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Rather than flee a flash fire, Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips on Tuesday refused to budge on harsh comments he made about the visiting Cardinals prior to the teams' three-game series at Great American Ball Park. The Cardinals, termed "little bitches, all of them" by the All-Star infielder Monday, suggested they consider the source. "The comments I made yesterday, those are my comments," Phillips said. "I said those things and I really mean what I said. The Cardinals, they're a great team. They're the team to beat, like I've said a million times. But we have to beat them." Phillips made his comments several hours before a fracas erupted at home plate as Phillips led off the"
Cardinals K.O. Reds after bench clearing brawl
August 11
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"We'll have to study the tape to determine who won the Big Brawl at Great American Ball Park Tuesday night. It was clear who won the baseball game that broke out afterward. The Cardinals made the Reds look as bad as they have in months in an 8-4 loss before a crowd of 36,964. The Reds had as many errors (three) after six innings as hits. The Reds and Cardinals are now tied for first in National League Central. The Reds lost a series for only the second time in the last 14. They have to win today to avoid the sweep and falling out of first place. The big brawl was followed by a pretty good game – for a while. St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina, an instigator of the first-inning fisticuffs, was"
Brandon Phillips stirs controversy
August 10
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Second baseman Brandon Phillips then added an edge to the series by referring to the Cardinals as "little b—–s" before first pitch. "I'd play against these guys on one leg," Phillips told Hal McCoy, a columnist for the Dayton Daily News. "We have to beat these guys. All they do is b—- and moan about everything, all of them. They're little b——s, all of them. I really hate the Cardinals. Compared to the Cardinals, I love the Chicago Cubs. Let me make this clear: I hate the Cardinals." Manager Tony La Russa had heard about the comment before addressing the media afterward. He tried to keep a lid on his emotion but later followed Post-Dispatch reporters into the clubhouse to remind them that"
Stylish Brandon Phillips flashes substance, too
July 13
Cincinnati Enquirer
 columnist Paul Daugherty
"Brandon Phillips is wearing a watch encrusted in black diamonds, to match the black shirt he has on. How many carats, someone asks. "Too many,'' Phillips says. His "jeweler,'' a man in New York, made the watch for him. The man makes diamond-encrusted watches for any number of celebrities, says Phillips. It's the second he has done for Phillips. The first was white diamonds. The watches are similar in size – think Flavor Flav – and similar in worth. "I just love style,'' Phillips is saying. "I love to look good.'' This is his first all-star game, an accident he hopes is not repeated. Phillips' selection to the National League team "showed me I belong here, shows me the type of player that I"
Leading off suits Phillips just fine
July 5
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"All-Star Brandon Phillips batting leadoff originally was a temporary thing, but lately has become more permanent. Reds manager Dusty Baker said he will continue to bat Phillips first for the foreseeable future. Phillips is hitting .318 (14-for-44) since becoming the leadoff hitter 10 games ago. Phillips hit fourth earlier in the season, then second, and now first. "Second was temporary, too," Baker said. "Batting second, that's when we really took off, when he started batting second and (Scott) Rolen moved to fourth." Orlando Cabrera was leading off for a while before he hit a slump. Enter Phillips. "Cabrera was playing lights-out, and then he got a little cold," Baker said. "We"
Three Reds - Arthur Rhodes, Brandon Phillips, Scott Rolen - make All-Star team
July 5
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Arthur Rhodes has endured the death of a child, Tommy John elbow surgery and almost 20 years in the majors. Rhodes thus was visibly moved Sunday at news of his first All-Star Game selection, at age 40, along with fellow Reds Scott Rolen (sixth selection) and Brandon Phillips (first selection). First baseman Joey Votto was left out, but can still make the team if he wins the NL Final Fan voting. Reds fans can vote for Votto at reds.com or at MLB.com through 4 p.m. Thursday. There is no limit to the number of online votes. There's also mobile voting for Sprint, Nextel and Boost subscribers. To vote for a specific player, text message your choice to 1122. Rhodes, a left-handed reliever, has"
Three Reds named All-Stars
July 4
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"At 40, Reds reliever Arthur Rhodes will make his first All-Star appearance on July 13 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. He joins Brandon Phillips and Scott Rolen as Reds players who will represent the National League. Rhodes is 3-2 with a 1.09 ERA in 37 appearances for the Reds this season. Rhodes went 33 appearances and 30 innings without allowing a run this season. Rhodes dedicated his selection to his late son, Jordan, who was 5 when he died of an illness two years ago. "I did it for my little boy," Rhodes said. "He's up in heaven. I'm emotional right now." "He deserves it more than anybody," Phillips said of Rhodes. "The man was in tears. I didn't think the angry man could cry.""
Brandon Phillips inside the numbers
June 28
Cincinnati Enquirer
 columnist John Erardi
"One can tell by listening to Reds radio broadcasters Marty Brennaman and Jeff Brantley how enamored they are of Brandon Phillips as a hitter and acrobatic second baseman. But we might have learned something about Philips they don't know. He's not swinging at as many pitches this year. A lack of selectivity usually means more outs. But Phillips' natural aggressiveness doesn't hurt him as much as most other swing-happy hitters, because he's so good at putting the ball in play. Add that to the fact that he's swinging at fewer pitches this year - four percent less than in his 30-30 (home runs/steals) season in 2007, and three percent less than in 2008 and 0.5 percent less than last year - and"
Phillips new 'temporary' leadoff hitter
June 26
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"The Reds have turned to Brandon Phillips in their search for a leadoff hitter. Reds manager Dusty Baker flip-flopped Orlando Cabrera and Phillips in the lineup. Is it temporary? "Almost everything is temporary, except Joey Votto hitting third," Baker said. Cabrera went into Friday's game against the Cleveland Indians hitless in his last 10 at-bats and 8-for-his-last-80 (.133). "At-bats are piling up for Cabrera," Baker said. "Get him some non-at-bats, some sac bunts, hit and runs, to take some pressure off him." "It's like when (Drew) Stubbs was struggling earlier in the year. You're 0-for-5 while everybody else is 0-for-4." Cabrera was 7-for-18 off Cleveland's starter, Aaron Laffey,"
Reds awaiting word on Phillips' MRI
June 15
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Reds general manager Walt Jocketty had not heard anything Monday afternoon on the MRI of Brandon Phillips' hamstring. "I probably won't (Monday)," he said. "I would have if it was anything serious," Jocketty said. "Talking to (Dr. Tim) Kremchek, he thought (Phillips) will be ready in the next day or two. He got treatment today. It was more like a knot.""
Reds hope move boosts Brandon Phillips
April 28
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Reds manager Dusty Baker hopes to get Brandon Phillips' bat going by moving him up in the lineup. Phillips batted second Tuesday night at Houston, the first time he's hit in that spot since April 21, 2008. Orlando Cabrera was dropped from second to sixth in the batting order. "We're trying to figure out a way to get Brandon started," Baker said. "Maybe him being in front of Joey (Votto) will help. They've been pitching around Joey lately. Cabrera has been good when it comes to driving in runs. I called them in and spoke to them about it. It's all good." Phillips entered Tuesday's game hitting .219 with a .296 on-base percentage. "He's missing pitches that he ordinarily puts in play," Baker"
Brandon Phillips has a two-word explanation for his hottest streak of the season: "Scott Rolen."
September 6
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Phillips went into Saturday's game against the Atlanta Braves hitting .571 over his last eight games. He was 10-for-15 with two home runs and six RBI over his last four games. Again, Phillips gives Rolen big credit for his recent tear. "Just watching him play every day," Phillips said. "He doesn't talk that much. But the way he approaches the game, I learn a lot from just watching him. I don't talk to him that much. We say, 'Congratulations, nice hit,' that stuff. But his approach to the game says a lot." Phillips and Rolen have the same agents, Sam and Seth Levinson. "I talk to my agent a lot about Scott and the type of person he is and how he approaches the game," Phillips said. "It"
Votto sits; Phillips' wrist not broken
September 2
Dayton Daily News
 
"Joey Votto should consider it a compliment, but when your batting average is disappearing like a 401-K, compliments don't soothe the pain. Votto was 0 for 15 with six strikeouts so Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker gave Votto a comfortable seat in the dugout for Tuesday's game. "Joey needs it and deserves it," said Baker. "His concentration isn't quite there. Usually he is at a very high level of concentration. I can tell he is frustrated. He doesn't get angry, but he has been getting angry lately and you can tell. "Teams are pitching him tough. When you get to a certain level of excellence, they are going to throw 94 to him when they're throwing 91-92 to everyone else. And that's the"