Brandon Phillips Talks Big, Plays Big
Brandon Phillips holds some similarities to Lebron James. They both have a past association in Cleveland and they create a cloud of dust with their hands. The only difference is James uses powder and Phillips uses dust.
The Cincinnati Reds second baseman packs a lot more punch than sand to his game though. He brings a ton of fun to the sport of baseball.
"He'll smile in a situation where people want him to be mad," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. Or maybe he'll stand and admire a well-hit ball a moment too long, or punctuate a tag play with exaggerated body language, or show emotion in a circumstance when protocol requires stoicism.”
The sport of baseball does not carry many flashy players like say the NFL or the NBA, but Phillips sure brings a good amount of showmanship. Is that so wrong?
"Yes, I'm flashy," Phillips said. "I just feel like it makes me have fun if I put a little flair to it. Do I feel like I'm arrogant? No. Do I feel like I'm confident? h**l yes, I do. I feel like I'm the best all-around second baseman in baseball. If you don't think you're the best, why go out and play this game?”
The Reds certainly hold a couple of other key parts to their success so far this season. Joey Votto is a Triple Crown threat and MVP candidate, and Scott Rolen is Cincinnati's resident leader by example, but Phillips may be the team’s best all around player and he is a lot more selfless than one would think.
"There aren't many guys who can bat anywhere in the lineup and anywhere I ask them," Baker said. "Most guys, if they drove in 90 runs and then you ask them to bat leadoff and they have 30 RBIs, you're messing up their year."
While Phillips’ flair has always attracted attention, in his fifth season with the Reds people started to take notice for his play on the field. He was selected as a reserve for the National League in the All-Star game. To show his appreciation, when the Reds faced the Phillies, he went up to Phillies manager Charlie Manuel and said, "Thank you for picking me," Phillips told Manuel. "It's an honor to play for you at the All-Star Game."
Phillips flashes an effervescent smile when he recalls the exchange. If he were a bit less brash, he might have more than one All-Star Game appearance and a single Gold Glove in his collection. So it warms his heart when a hard-core baseball person recognizes his contributions.
Phillips was chosen by the Montreal Expos in the second round of the 1999 draft, and quickly established himself as the Expos' top prospect. Baseball America's 2002 Prospect Handbook ranked Phillips ahead of names like Grady Sizemore and Cliff Lee.
Indians general manager (GM) Mark Shapiro acquired all three players in a stunning trade for Bartolo Colon, but Phillips time in Cleveland did not go well as he shuffled from the minor leagues to the majors.
Former Reds GM Wayne Krivsky traded for Phillips four years later and Phillips appears to have found his stride in Cincinnati.
Phillips has expressed that his experience with the Indians did not sit well with him.
"At first when we played Cleveland I told them, 'Every time I play against you, I'm going to bust you up,'" Phillips said. "I had to show them what they were missing."
The flashy player is a model citizen in the community, showing he does have a good heart and is not as self-absorbed as people think. Phillips is active in charity work and popular in the community, and has a charisma that resonates with the populace. He's likable and intelligent, with or without the bravado.
Many wonder if Phillips is simply in the wrong sport, thinking a career in football or basketball would suit his showmanship more. However, he brings a lot of excitement to baseball and his colourful personality should be embraced.
"If you look on TV, you'll see LeBron James or [LaDainian Tomlinson] or Terrell Owens celebrate when they do something good," Phillips said. "Younger African-Americans, we love that kind of stuff. We love the excitement and the celebrations. That's why a lot of African-Americans don't play baseball, because there's not a lot of excitement. I'm a baseball player who acts like he plays football and basketball. I celebrate."
As long as he’s getting it done on the field, that’s really what matters.
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