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Cincinnati's Red-carpet treatment
Laura Burcoff holds her son Jacob Slone as the Cincinnati Reds Caravan visits the Huntington Mall on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012, in Barboursville.
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BARBOURSVILLE -- When Brandon Phillips walked into the Huntington Mall on Thursday, the Cincinnati Reds' Gold Glove second baseman was decked out in a backward Reds hat and designer sweater, scarf and sunglasses.
Phillips' swagger was on full display and fans took note as flashbulbs filled the air with red-clad patrons snapping pictures of one of the most recognizable figures in Major League Baseball.
Perhaps it was fitting that Phillips was given the red-carpet treatment by those attending the Reds Caravan at the Huntington Mall on Thursday afternoon.
Marty Brennaman, the Hall of Fame broadcaster for the Cincinnati Reds, thinks so, at least.
"Brandon and I have been fixtures of this particular group, which we refer to with good cause as the 'Rockstar Group,'" Brennaman said. "We are, in fact, the premier group among the three that go out for a few days on a Thursday morning.
"I would have to say, unequivocally, if I have a favorite player on this club, he would be the guy."
It didn't take long for Phillips or Brennaman to see exactly how much they mean to the Tri-State area on Thursday.
Fans started lining up at 1 p.m. for the chance at autographs, despite the fact that the caravan did not officially get under way until 3:30 p.m.
By the time that Phillips and Brennaman reached the stage, the line for autographs ran from the center of the Huntington Mall all the way back to the doors at J.C. Penney's at the north end of the mall.
"This is why I do it -- for the fans. That's the No. 1 thing," Phillips said. "Me and Marty, we are like best friends. We're cool people. The stories on the road and joking with other players, coaches and GMs, it's real nice to be in the presence of that. That's what it's all about -- giving back to the fans and playing this game that we love."
Phillips and Brennaman had a question-and-answer session with the fans while signing autographs during the nearly three-hour appearance before heading to Charleston in the evening.
Questions ranged from Reds history dating back to 1957 to whether Phillips talked to Yadier Molina -- the St. Louis Cardinals catcher that Phillips was involved with in an on-field altercation in 2010.
Phillips took the question -- posed by a young Reds fan -- in stride, joking back and saying tongue-in-cheek that he and Molina talk on the phone all the time and go out to eat together.
While the mood was light on this day, both Phillips and Brennaman got serious once asked about season expectations.
Phillips said that last year's postseason proved that anything can happen.
"I'm ready to go," Phillips said. "I got the bug right after the Cardinals won the World Series. Just seeing them win it, I learned a lot. They deserved it. They worked their butts off and never quit. It just lets you know that anything is possible."
While the rival Cardinals won the 2011 World Series, Brennaman said that baseball analysts should look no further than the Reds for the early favorite to win the National League's Central division in 2012.
"Based on what this team has done in the offseason, this is going to be a fun team to watch play in 2012," Brennaman said. "I don't think there has been any operation in major league baseball that has better addressed the needs of its club than (Cincinnati Reds general manager) Walt Jocketty and his baseball people."
Offseason moves appear to have improved the Reds while St. Louis and the Milwaukee Brewers are facing the loss of their respective superstars.
Albert Pujols left St. Louis for the American League's Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim while Milwaukee lost Prince Fielder, who signed with the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday.
The Brewers also will be without reigning National League MVP Ryan Braun for the first 50 games of the season after Braun tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug in the offseason.
Not only does the offseason movement make the Reds one of the favorites in the NL Central, it also makes Phillips the marquee superstar in the division.
That makes this year's caravan especially important to the Reds, who are looking to build momentum heading into the 2012 season.
That caravan got off to a great start with Thursday's trek through Huntington and Charleston.
"Honestly, I didn't know Reds country was this big," Phillips said. "For us to come out here and see how it is, it's beautiful to see how the Reds fans are and them supporting us."
Brennaman echoed Phillips' thoughts.
"Any caravan that we embark upon would not be complete if we did not stop in Huntington and Charleston," Brennaman said. "These areas are very, very important areas as far as the success of the club is concerned in terms of attendance.
"These fans are rabid Reds fans. They've proven that in all the years I've been around and I'm going into my 39th season."
Cincinnati's full squad reports to spring training in Goodyear, Ariz., on Feb. 24 before the first spring training contest on March 3. The 2012 season opens on April 5 with a 4:05 p.m. contest against the Miami Marlins at Great American BallPark.
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