I am a freelance writer. I've covered the Cincinnati Reds, Bengals and others since 1992.
I have a background in sales as well. I've sold consumer electronics, advertising and consumer package goods for companies ranging from the now defunct Circuit City to Procter&Gamble.
I have worked as a stats operator for Xavier University, the University of Cincinnati, the College of Mount St. Joe and Colerain High School.
There were hard feelings at Great American Ball Park during Monday night's marathon 14-inning game.
Brandon Phillips was hit by a pitch from Pittsburgh reliever, Jared Hughes. Phillips picked up the ball and flipped it in the direction of the pitchers mound with body language that was dismissive and confrontational.
Angry words were exchanged. Phillips tweeted the following after the game.
Brandon Phillips @DatDudeBP
#RealTalk... Not really surprised by what I heard come outta another player's mouth tonite but DAMN... Still PISSED bout that $h¡+!! #Racism
There were incidents between the teams during their last series in Cincinnati in early August. Andrew McCutcheon was hit by Aroldis Chapman. Josh Harrison was hit the next night by Mike Leake. The Pirates were clearly not pleased but did not throw at any Reds' hitters. Hughes did put extra emphasis on a tag applied to Dioner Navarro.
It set the stage for Monday night. Hughes hit Phillips in the eighth inning
On Tuesday the pair talked by phone.
"Last night it was the heat of the moment. Especially being from Stone Mountain, Georgia, a lot of crazy things and a lot of racial stuff happened," Phillips said. "I was upset about the situation. But me and Mr. Hughes had a great conversation. It was the best thing that ever happened. I just told him about things in general that have happened and we were talking about things that I heard. It was great to hear what he had to say and for him to hear what I had to say. I made us both feel better. I respect him as a player and also as a man. It was just a big misunderstanding. When you say some things in the heat of the moment, you really don't mean it. I understand that. You forgive people. He forgives me and I forgive him. This is a baseball family. I respect him as a player and he respects me as a player. He's a nasty pitcher. I don't like facing him. He's one of the best pitchers in the league. I wish didn't happen but everybody's all good."
"Just talking to him is the best thing that happened," Phillips said. "I'm not going to tell you what he said, that's between me and him. Last night I tweeted because that's how I felt. We are going to talk again. It makes the situation so much better."
They both reached out to each other.
"I wanted to talk to him last night," Phillips said "The game went so long."
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