EVENTS
 Sportsman of the Year
 Heisman Trophy
 Swimsuit 2001

	CINCINNATI REDS
	2000 Spring Training Schedule
	2000 Regular Season Schedule

1999 Record: 96-67 (2nd place, NL Central, 1.5 GB)

1999 Payroll: $38.0 million (20th)

1999 Team Statistics (NL rank) Batting Avg. .272 (6th)         Opp. Average .241 (1st) Runs Scored 865 (4th) ERA 3.99 (4th) Home Runs 209 (3rd) Fielding Pct. .983 (t-2nd)

1999 Recap: The Reds won 96 games -- the most since the "Big Red Machine" won 102 in 1976 and the most by any team in the wild card era that failed to reach the postseason. Cincinnati languished in the basement as late as May 15 before making their ascent to respectability. The Reds even acquired a pitcher (Juan Guzman) at the trade deadline when they found themselves in the hunt for a playoff spot. The club contended by staying healthy, posting the best bullpen ERA in the majors, and enjoying double-figure home run efforts from 10 of its members.

1999 Highlight: Relief pitcher Scott Williamson emerged in spring training and went on to capture NL Rookie of the Year honors. Williamson led all NL rookies in wins (12), saves (19) and innings pitched (93.1).

1999 Lowlight: After a six-hour rain delay to finish game No. 162 in Milwaukee, the Reds mustered only two hits off of the Mets' Al Leiter in a one-game playoff, ending their Cinderella season, 5-0.

Manager: Jack McKeon (206-182 with Reds, 685-656 overall)

Coaches: Denis Menke (hitting), Don Gullett (pitching), Dave Collins (first base), Ron Oester (third base), Tom Hume (bullpen), Ken Griffey Sr. (bench)

Camp Site: Ed Smith Stadium, Sarasota, Fla.

Reporting Dates: Pitchers and catchers on Feb. 16; full squad Feb. 21

Additions: OF Ken Griffey Jr., OF Dante Bichette, OF Alex Ochoa, OF Deion Sanders, RHP Mark Portugal, OF Kimera Bartee

Subtractions: OF Greg Vaughn, OF Mike Cameron, P Brett Tomko, OF Jeffrey Hammonds, LHP Steve Avery, P Stan Belinda, OF Mark Sweeney, P Juan Guzman, C Brian Johnson

Spring Cleaning: With Griffey, Casey, Bichette and Larkin in the middle of the lineup, the offense will be explosive. The pitching staff is another story. The Reds bullpen was overworked in 1999, throwing 530.1 innings -- tops in the NL. And the starting rotating is thin, especially after including Brett Tomko in the deal for Junior. Pete Harnisch was the Reds workhorse last season, even when it appeared his arm was going to fall off during the stretch run. Harnisch refused to have surgery in the off-season, so his health is a big question mark.

Junior Achiever Youngest players to reach 400 HR Player  Years  Days  Jimmie Foxx  30  248   Mickey Mantle  30  325   Eddie Mathews  31  185   Frank Robinson  32  9   Hank Aaron  32  74   Mel Ott  32  91  * Ken Griffey Jr. (398 HR) needs   two home runs before Aug. 3

Denny Neagle's shoulder is also a concern. Neagle did not pitch as well as Reds fans expected in 1999 until September, when he won six of his last seven starts. Whether or not he can return to his form as a 20-game winner is up for debate. Steve Parris and Ron Villone will likely start the season in the rotation. Both pitchers are coming off career years, but neither has pitched more than 150 innings in a season. The fifth starter's job is Mark Portugal's to lose in his second stint with the Reds. Another curiosity is Mark Wohlers, who is returning from Tommy John surgery and is hoping to find his command again. Wohlers will have a hard time cracking one of the best bullpens in the majors: Scott Williamson, Danny Graves, Scott Sullivan, Dennys Reyes and Gabe White.

Key Acquisition: Um, we'll give you a hint. He came from Seattle...but he's originally from the Queen City. His dad is a coach for the Reds. And he enters the 2000 season with 398 career home runs. You guessed it. Ken Griffey Jr. joins a team whose other everyday position players averaged about .295 with 20 homers and 85 RBI.

The Future is Now: First baseman Sean Casey is a superstar in the making. He blossomed into the Reds' top hitter last year, hitting .332 with 25 homers and 99 RBI. He has the potential to win a batting title while hitting for power and driving in over 100 runs. Along with Griffey, Casey is the Reds' foundation heading into the 21st century.

Opportunity Knocks: The race for the coveted third outfield spot will be interesting. Deion Sanders' comeback will be scrutinized. And he'll have plenty of competition in Dmitri Young, Michael Tucker and Alex Ochoa. But knowing that Deion has speed and a long-time friendship with GM Jim Bowden, look for Prime Time to make the Reds and take a role as a capable back-up to Junior with appearances as a pinch-runner and defensive replacement as well.

Prospects to Watch: RHP Rob Bell, OF Ben Broussard, IF Travis Dawkins, OF Adam Dunn, RHP Pat Flury, C Jason LaRue, 3B Brandon Larson

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