CINCINNATI — Second baseman Brandon Phillips returned to play at Cincinnati this weekend for the first time since the Reds traded him to the Braves in February. He said he had no hard feelings for the team for which he played 11 seasons, including three All-Star campaigns.
However, Phillips said he didn’t like that the Reds have issued his No. 4 jersey to another player, utility man Scooter Gennett.
“I still can’t believe somebody is wearing my No. 4,” Phillips said during an interview with local television reporters. “That’s kind of a slap in the face, too. But it is what it is. People have their own opinions, and I have mine.”
Phillips, who is a product of Redan High, declared that he’s “still loyal” to the city of Cincinnati and that he “still runs this (city).”
“I wish I was still a ‘Red Leg,’” Phillips said. “But I’m happy to play home for the Braves. I’m happy to be where I’m at (and) getting a cooked meal from my mom and being around my family, my friends. But my heart is always in Cincinnati.”
The Reds traded Phillips to the Braves in exchange for two minor-league players and are paying $13 million of his $14 million salary this season, the final year of his contract. The Reds traded Phillips to make way for several young prospects.
Phillips had no-trade rights with the Reds and rejected a proposed deal to the Braves after last season. Phillips approved a trade to Atlanta after Braves infielder Sean Rodriguez suffered a shoulder injury in January that will sideline him for several months.
Phillips said before the game that he hoped Reds fans would understand why he decided to leave.
“I had to come here (to the Braves) and play every day because I feel like I’m too good to be sitting on the bench,” Phillips said.
The Cincinnati crowd gave him a long ovation before his first at-bat, and Phillips stepped out of the batter’s box to acknowledge them.
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