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.
The Cincinnati Reds will be without Scott Rolen this spring but it is still hazy as to whether he will retire or not.
General manager Walt Jocketty informed the media through a written statement that Rolen "will not be attending camp with the Reds this spring."
"Scott made significant contributions to our team's recent success, and it isn't a coincidence we made the playoffs in two of his three full seasons here. He made a huge impact on Cincinnati with his work ethic on the field, in the clubhouse and in our community," Jocketty said in the statement.
Rolen, who missed significant time in each of those three full season with a variety of injuries, stopped short of announcing his retirement.
"Right now I'm simply not ready to make a commitment. I would like to leave my options open, without closing any doors. I am looking forward to challenges, both personally and professionally, I will face in the future," Rolen said also in the written statement released by the Reds.
Rolen, who will turn 38 years old on April 4, suffered through several injuries, most notably back spasms in his tenure with the Reds.
He played in 133 games in 2010 when the Reds surprised the baseball world to win the National League Central Division title. The Jasper, Indiana native hit .285 with 20 home runs and 83 RBI that season, the best of the years with the Reds.
After that injuries took a toll.
He played in just 65 games in 2011 and 92 last season.
The Reds won the division for the second time in three seasons as Rolen contributed a .245 batting average with eight home runs and 39 RBI.
Reds players will miss his presence perhaps more than his on-field production.
"It's tough for me because he's a good guy to talk to every day about thirdbase. I understand he wants to be with his family or whatever he wants to do. All the best to him but I'd like him to be here so I could get more knowledge from him for sure," said Todd Frazier, who figures to take over for Rolen at thirdbase.
"I think he was playing through some pain for most of the time he was out here. That's the sign of a gamer. He was doing it for 17 years or however long he's been out here. I've been doing it for seven and it seems like a long time. I can only imagine how much of a toll it takes on your body to play every day for that many years," Sean Marshall said.
"It would be like losing a member of the family, manager Dusty Baker said this morning before the Reds released the news. "He was a leader. Whenever you lose a leader like that someone else comes along to take over. We don't know who that is but a leader will come out."
"There are a lot of guys that can take over as a leader. You can't really point out anyone in particular. We have some quality guys here that do what Scott did, which is lead by example. They play as hard as they can each day and leave it all on the field. Todd Frazier is a guy who leads with his voice and leads with the way he plays. There are big shoes to fill. He will be missed for sure," Marshall said.
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