By Andrew Nagel
Not on the original list of current and former Cincinnati Reds to appear at this year’s Redsfest, Reds second baseman, Brandon Phillips did show up to Friday night’s event after a personal invitation by Reds’ General Manager, Walt Jocketty.
Phillips announced his Redsfest participation Friday afternoon via his Twitter account, @DatDudeBP, stating “Good Day at #Redsfest… Y’all know I had to come show my city #Cincinnati & my fans some LOVE!! I play for y’all & this city!! #ALLREADY”.
So Phillips, rocking his fresh Louboutin redbottom shoes, showed up on a snowy Friday night. It was evident during player introductions who the most popular Red was among the crowd as BP received the loudest ovation of the night. One of Phillips’ fans, Kenzie Webb, said via her Twitter account “I literally cried when you went out on stage.” Brandon did not disappoint his fans in the least, even helping Reds fan Zach Winning propose to his girlfriend with a very special autographed baseball.
Phillips signed autographs, posed for pictures and flashed his million dollar smile all night. A few days after Redsfest was over and after Phillips had time to look back through all the tweets he was tagged in by his adoring fans, BP added this @DatDudeBP, “WOWWWW #Redsfest was AMAZING!!! Thank you fans for coming out and showing us the LOVE & SUPPORT!!!
The Cincinnati Reds Community Fund which is the big benefactor of Redsfest crowned Phillips the King of Redsfest as they tweeted “Thank u @DatDudeBP for joining @RedsCommunity for a great visit. King of #redsfest.” The money raised for the Reds Community Fund goes back into the Cincinnati communities in baseball-themed programs that target urban and underserved children throughout greater Cincinnati and Reds Country.
So once again, Redsfest turned into Lovefest for Cincinnati Reds fans and Brandon Phillips. His fans love him and he loves his fans. That love is evident if you watch Phillips with his fans wherever he is. It could be at GABP. It could be in an opposing city. It could be in an airport, a mall, a movie theater or a local restaurant. That love and admiration is there and it was certainly evident at this year’s Redsfest.
