Brandon Phillips signs 1-day contract with Reds to retire

CINCINNATI — The Reds signed Brandon Phillips to a ceremonial one-day contract Saturday to make sure the four-time Gold Glove Award winner would retire with the crew.

“It was a dream come true,” Phillips mentioned. “For me to officially retire, this was the only place I wanted to do it. For this to really happen, this is where I wanted to be. This is my home.”

Phillips, 44, who was additionally inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame on Saturday, spent 11 seasons in Cincinnati, the place he earned three National League All-Star choices and a Silver Slugger Award whereas profitable two NL Central Division titles and making three playoff appearances.

“He brought a style and personality that Reds fans loved,” Reds CEO Phil Castellini mentioned. “He was a cornerstone of our club and one of the most dynamic players in the game. The connection he built with this city was real, and retiring him as a Red is our chance to honor that unforgettable relationship.”

Phillips, recognized for his quite a few highlight-reel performs at second, signed the contract throughout a public occasion at Great American Ball Park prior to the Reds internet hosting the Detroit Tigers.

I’ve performed 17 seasons for the Cleveland GuardiansReds, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Angels and the 2018 World Series-winning Boston Red Sox. After 4 subpar years in Cleveland, Phillips was traded to the Reds on April 7, 2006, in trade for a participant to be named: right-hander Jeff Stevens.

“They gave me the opportunity to really be myself,” Phillips mentioned of the Reds. “That’s all I really needed to know as a young player. When an organization really believes in you as a player… it felt good.”

Also inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame this weekend had been pitcher Aaron Harang, outfielder Reggie Sanders and supervisor Lou Piniella, who led Cincinnati to the 1990 World Series championship.