Player of the Week Andy Phillips MLB Cincinnati Reds

Published 12:00 am Monday, June 9, 2008

The Demopolis native got off to a slow start after his May 28 call up, playing in a reserve capacity for the Reds upon his return to The Show.

However, a weekend series against the Florida Marlins proved an ample venue for the former New York Yankee&8217;s coming out party. Phillips came up with a single and an RBI against The Fish Friday evening before getting an opportunity to shine in a tight spot Saturday. With the bases loaded, two out, and the Reds down by three in the bottom of the sixth inning, Phillips, who got the start in place of injured third baseman Edwin Encarnacion, stroked a three-RBI double down the left field line to tie the game.

While the Reds bullpen faltered down the stretch, the moment was still big for a player who is looking to ensure his most recent visit to the big leagues is more than the proverbial cup of coffee. While the circumstances surrounding his tenure with a young Reds organization are drastically different from the built-to-win-it-all Yankees teams of his past, Phillips, a consummate professional, appears to have accepted his role and sparse opportunities with due grace. That alone is enough to merit Player of the Week distinction.

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