Sports
Reds Caravan Makes Stop In Athens
By: Ian McConville
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In a town known for bleeding green and white for its Bobcats, the large crowd in attendance at The Market on State traded in its Ohio gear for some red and white.
The Cincinnati Reds brought their annual fan caravan to Athens to allow fans to get up close and personal with some people close to the day-to-day operations of the team, as well as players and broadcasters. This year’s edition of the caravan brought President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Walt Jocketty, Chief Operating Officer Phillip Castellini, Cincinnati Reds Hall of Famer Tom Browning, catcher Devin Mesoraco, Ryan LaMarre, mascot Mr. Redlegs, and Ohio University alumnus and current play-by-play announcer Thom Brennaman.
The fans at The Market were given an opportunity to pose questions regarding the team and expectations for the season to the panel and to get autographs and pictures. Fans were able to enter a drawing for two tickets to the team’s opening day game against the Miami Marlins on April 5. They could also purchase tickets to other Reds home games.
Several young “Reds Heads,” were in attendance, including one who posed a question to Mesoraco.
“How many days do you practice?” the young fan asked.
Mesoraco responded simply.
“Every day.”
Most fans were curious about the current state of negotiations with some key players whose contracts expire in the near future. Others asked about some off-season deals.
Overall, however, most fans were confident that this could be the year the Reds make a post-season surge, and possibly bring a World Series title to the Queen City.
The Reds Caravan continues its journey tomorrow as it voyages to the Grand Central Mall in Vienna, WV. It will also make stops in Columbus, Lima and Dayton in the coming days.