After careful perusal of the Reds' media guide and several trips to see the guys warm up and play, I chose Jeff Keppinger as my favorite player near the end of spring training. He seemed to be an underdog pick but would get decent playing time. His birthday was one year and 8 days before mine. He had been drafted by the Pirates. That was enough for me. We clearly had a connection, and I would root for him.
Two days later, he was traded to Houston.
I've been lost and aimless (much like the majority of the Reds roster) as Tim has religiously followed his team. I had no one to identify with ... no one to cheer for ... until last night.
We were driving back from Orlando (another post about that trip is soon to come). We were listening to the radio and heard that Adam Rosales was playing in his first game wit
h Reds. On my birthday. He got two RBIs and helped them win over the Astros (take that, Keppinger!) 3-0. The radio announcer also told us that Rosales went to Western Michigan. He graduated in 2005. Tim and I actually saw the Broncos play in 2004. Rosales had some big games in spring training, but since he didn't have much of a chance to make the team, I eliminated him from Favorite Player contention, even after he had a game-winning hit in the tenth inning at one of the games (the photo of him, at right, is from that game).We got home to watch the end of the Reds game. I asked Tim to get the media guide out so we could find out more about Rosales. Tim told me to guess when Rosales' birthday way. I guessed May 17. Tim was surprised I was so close and told me the real answer: May 20.
And that sealed the deal. May 20 is the birthday of both my sister, Marti, and my best friend, Meghan.
Dear Adam Rosales,
Please get lots of playing time so I can continue cheering for you.
Your friend,
Kristin
