CINCINNATI -- Professional baseball players can be fans, too, especially of other professional sports. Imagine how you or your kids enjoyed getting to go to Spring Training and watching a workout at the Reds practice facility. You would get some idea of what rookie first baseman Sal Stewart felt like seeing his favorite football player -- wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase -- up close and in person at Bengals training camp this week. “Being able to go to practice was awesome,” Stewart said after spending part of Tuesday down the street from Great American Ball Park at the Bengals’ practice fields outside of Paycor Stadium. Reds teammates Emilio Pagán, Tony Santillan, Spencer Steer, Rhett Lowder and Julian Garcia and bullpen coach Oscar Marin were also part of the football field trip and got to tour the facility -- including the Bengals’ stadium field, locker room, weight room, training room and more. Stewart wore his No. 1 Chase jersey throughout the day. The group also met head coach Zac Taylor and superstar quarterback Joe Burrow, among others, and watched practice. The encounter with Burrow was brief but fun. “He said ‘what's up’ to us, which was really cool,” said Stewart, a 2026 All-Star and NL Rookie of the Year contender. “Obviously, the QB has got a lot on his plate. He’s got a lot to worry about.” |
Taylor took some time with Stewart and shared one of the offense’s plays that the team might run. “Just learning. Being able to see how they go about their business, and it’s incredible. Coach is a genius mind,” Stewart said. “They gave me a play that they would get to Joe, I guess, on the headset. Man, I had no chance. I was lost, but it was really cool talking to them and seeing what they are about. It was such a good experience.” What did Stewart learn about pro football from being behind the scenes? “That I can’t do it,” he replied. “They are freakish athletes. It’s funny, man. You don’t realize how great of athletes they are until you’re kind of like right next to them. They do things that I wish I could even dream about.” When practice was over, Taylor had Stewart huddle up with Bengals players and break down the session. Stewart said “Champs on three!” “I wasn’t expecting it but when Coach Taylor told me that, I was like, ‘Oh man, you guys put me on the spot here.’ But it was great,” he said. |
Make no mistake, this day was all about the 22-year-old Stewart getting to meet his football hero, Chase, a five-time Pro Bowl receiver. Stewart and Chase got together and exchanged autographed jerseys. Stewart wrote, “To the best WR in the league,” on Chase’s No. 1 Reds jersey. “I’m more happy I got his jersey signed, game used. It was sick,” Stewart said. “I admire his work ethic. Obviously, I think he’s the best receiver in the NFL. But he’s awesome. I like the charisma he plays with. He kind of walks around like he knows who he is, which I love. I love that confidence about him. I’m young. You guys forget, I was in high school not too long ago. I used to watch him, even at LSU.” What did Chase sign on Stewart’s Bengals jersey? “He put, ‘To Sal,’ which was already cool enough,” Stewart said. “I appreciate him taking the time. He didn’t have to do that. I know their training camp is a long day. There’s a lot going on and he took the time to talk to us and stuff, which was awesome. I appreciate that. He was great, man. There’s not enough words to say how great he was.” |
MLB MORNING LINEUP PODCAST |
|
|
PAGÁN SURGING SINCE RETURN |
In the Reds’ three-game sweep of the Athletics this week, Pagán earned saves on back-to-back nights Tuesday and Wednesday, and he now has 13 overall. The 35-year-old had a perfect inning during Wednesday's 3-2 victory. Pagán dealt with some inconsistency before going on the injured list for nearly two months on May 6 with a left hamstring strain. Since returning on June 30, he has a 1.59 ERA and seven saves in 12 appearances. Since July 21, Pagán has earned a win or a save in eight straight appearances. He hasn't had a blown save since May 4. |
|
|
“You start working hard when the season starts, and you put all that work together and then when you see the results, it means a lot when you see it’s paying off, what I’ve been doing.” -- rookie outfielder Héctor Rodríguez, the Reds' No. 3 prospect, on his success at Triple-A Louisville ahead of his big league promotion on Tuesday |
|
|
FORWARDED FROM A FRIEND? SUBSCRIBE NOW |
To subscribe to Reds Beat, visit this page and mark "Reds Beat" from our newsletter list. Make sure you're following the Reds or that they're checked as your favorite team. |
|
|
|
