Ryan Freel Games Over .500

Jul 6, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips (4) congratulates relief pitcher Jonathan Broxton (51) after the Reds defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 4-2 at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

The Cincinnati Reds took their rubber match with first-place Milwaukee Brewers, riding a Jay Bruce home run and fine pitching from starter Mat Latos to a 4-2 victory.   In the process, the Reds cut their deficit in the Central to six games behind the Brew Crew, and the good guys also raised their season record to three games over .500 with a week to play until the All-Star break.

A guy would have fit well with this current roster was former Reds utility man Ryan Freel, who toiled for Cincinnati from 2003-08.  Freel was a play-with-abandon sort who did a good job of squeezing the most out of his talent despite relatively diminutive size (5’10”, 185).   Sadly, Freel developed CTE after his career and eventually took his own life.

For his vim and vigor on the field, though, Freel is our Mr. Number 3 today.