Reds Caravan entertains Athenians; infielder likes uptown

Trey Nuzun has a new background picture for his cell phone. Now, every time Nuzun, 11, opens his phone, a picture of Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips' big smile will be there, compliments of Phillips' photography skills.

Nuzun asked Phillips to sign his cell phone Friday during the Reds Caravan stop at The Market on State in Athens, and Phillips playfully decided to snap a picture of himself for Nuzun to have.

"I didn't even ask him to take the picture," Nuzun said. "But I'm glad he did."

Phillips came to town with several Reds figures, including longtime radio broadcaster Marty Brennaman, television broadcaster Chris Welsh, former player Glenn Braggs, minor leaguer Zack Cozart and assistant general manager Bob Miller. The group answered questions and signed autographs for nearly three hours as several hundred fans came out for the event.

Questions ranged from personnel issues, such as the possibility of the Reds signing free agents Orlando Cabrera or Johnny Damon (Miller said the team has talked with Cabrera but not Damon), to how Phillips developed his unique home-run trot.

"I got it a few years ago from the song 'Shoulder Lean,'" Phillips said. "So I just dropped the shoulder and it stuck."

The players were open and casual with the fans, sharing stories and joking around as they signed autographs until everyone had gone through the line. Fans asked Braggs about winning the 1990 World Series and talked with Brennaman about his favorite memory as the Reds broadcaster-Pete Rose breaking the all-time hits record.

"That was a special night,' Brennaman said about Rose getting hit number 4,192 on Sept. 11, 1985.

The four-day Reds Caravan has become an annual event for Athens, and the organization looks at it as a way to connect with the far-flung fan base.

"It's a blessing and it's an honor to go around and see Reds country," Phillips said. "I really didn't think there were Reds fans in West Virginia and all the other small cities that we go to. It's a beautiful thing letting them get to know us as people, because we're just normal people just like everybody else."

The trip to Athens is always special for Brennaman, as he has close ties to Ohio University. Three of his children attended OU, including fellow sports broadcaster Thom Brennaman, and he has made many trips to Athens over the years.

"I've been here many times and have nothing but fond memories of this place," Brennaman said. "I hope I get to come here more."

Although the event at The Market on State did not take place until Friday night, the caravan rolled into Athens on Thursday evening and the group took advantage of their time in town. They joked with fans about having a late night on Court Street, and apparently spent a good amount of time at the Pub.

"I really had a ball being here," Phillips said. "I went out last night, and I didn't really think OU could party like that, and I had a blast last night."