Encounters with Reds Players

by bobestes on Dec 19, 2005 3:17 PM EST Comment 4 comments

Post your encounters with Reds, past and present. Maybe you ran into Rob Dibble at Frisch's, Pete Rose at the dentist's office, or Aaron Boone at Japp's. Post your encounters.

Here's mine:

We had a tradition of singing karaoke at Mount Lookout Tavern during college. The female 20something alums that frequented the place loved us.

While I was belting out my rendition of "Suspicious Minds", I was joined onstage by none other than Braves/Reds/Rockies great, Denny Neagle. Eventually the hysteria devolved to the point where he pretty much yanked the microphone from me and sang his heart out, as drunk as you would expect. I'm pretty sure I said "Ladies and gentlemen, Reds great Denny Neagle!" at some point of the process.

He was hitting on just about every girl in the bar and ended up leaving with one, which I can only assume flew in the face of his marriage.

One of my friends said that Ryan Klesko was there with him, but I'll have to admit, his performance was far less remarkable than Denny's.

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Rob Dibble...

Mine's a bit more tame...

I was going a canned food drive with my church youth group back in the early 90's (say 91?...he was still in his prime, pre-anger management therapy; I was probably around 13 or 14), and we were going door to door asking for canned goods. We walked up to a nondescript house, rang the doorbell, and all the sudden an enormous human head stuck out of the door. I immediately recognized big Rob Dibble and was absolutely frozen in place.

He barked a rough "what??" and someone in our group ran through our quick schpeal about what we were doing. He said something like "hold on," closed the door, and left us standing in the snow for several minutes. Then, he reappeared with his young kid (4?) and had him/her take a can and put it in our bag. Then he said "bye" and closed the door. Several of us just stood there...I distinctly remember one of them kept saying "that was Rob Dibble....that was Rob Dibble.."
-JinAZ

by JinAZ on Dec 21, 2005 1:44 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Pros and Cons

Didnt Dibble used to live across from the old Loveland High School? That was the urban myth, at least.

My sister bumped into four Reds backstage at a Toby Keith concert last year. I remember LaRue, Casey and Graves. The 4th escapes me. Graves was in full Mac Daddy mode, making plays for almost everyone. He was "27" and "single". I cackled when I heard this. He did wind up with my sister's friend, who was married also. They had their adult fun over the course of a few months. I remember being steamed that he was text messaging her from the bullpen during a game, dammit! Then I harkened back to my lowly days as a high school scrub, and I calmed down considerably. Those games did tend to drag on and on when i wasnt in the lineup.

I bumped into Bench at a 5/3 book signing. He was personable, and even proactively shook my hand before signing a book of Cincy photos. Not the demon he is presented to be, although I'm sure some will argue otherwise.

Joe Nuxhall is an absolute gentleman. I bet he would have been a blast to sit down and have a couple beers with in the day.

Chuck Harmon was more than accomodating in providing an autograph. I'd wager few patrons of this site realize he was the Reds' first African-American ballplayer. Probably fewer still know he was working regularly at a county courthouse, until a few months ago.

Tracy Jones was a delight to talk baseball with over a Miller Lite and tuna steak at the old Foley's in Landen. (I was a bartender years ago). His stories about Sabo and Eric Davis would crack me up. I have long thought he would have been the ideal replacement for Mr. Nuxhall on Reds' broadcasts.

I once rented a car to Bret Boone in Covington during the offseason. He was waiting outside the Riverside Holiday Inn for his replacement vehicle. I was stunned at his stature, and honestly thought he was a hotel employee. (I'm over 6', but by no means a Hercules)

Ditto for Marty Brennaman in Beechmont. He was very cordial, and pleased to meet an Ohio alum like his son.

by ohiobobcat on Dec 21, 2005 5:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Oh Yeah

Well, I slept with Johnny....the rumors are true.

Goodbye Uncle Carl, I never loved you.

by Pinetarfly on Jan 5, 2006 4:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Erik Hanson

I still have not run into any Reds in public since encountering Erik Hanson at the airport on a flight from Boston to Cincinnati back in college. I think it was after his Reds days when he was with the Red Sox. He was on my Delta flight (sitting coach), and I thought he looked familiar. He had a duffle bag with some charity golf logo on it. It took almost the entire flight, but I finally figured out who it was. When we reached Cincinnati, I caught up with him on the way to baggage claim.

"Are you Erik Hanson?" I asked.

The tall slim figure froze and looked around like I was going to arrest him in front of everybody. Weird, because I can't image anyone else could pick him out of a crowd.

"Yes," he admitted.

I nodded and proceeded to baggage claim.

by Brian B on Jan 7, 2006 1:16 AM EST reply actions 0 recs