Just when you think it wasn't possible for Jim Bowden to find yet another ex-Red to bring into the Washington Nationals' fold, he steps up his game and brings in someone you didn't even think was still playing baseball.
And in this situation, you'd have been right. Because the Nationals have signed former Reds 1st round pick Calvin "Pokey" Reese to a minor league deal, even though the Pokester hasn't played in the majors since 2004. According to Bowden, Reese is being signed to bolster their depth at Triple-A Columbus, which has been weakened by callups to the big club as a result of major league injuries, as well as the retirement of ex-Red Bret Boone.
What's curious to me is that Bowden is willing to let Reese be an influence on the Nationals top prospects at Triple-A. Pokey's last attempted stint with an MLB squad was in 2006, when he signed with the Marlins, but had his contract terminated when he left the club in spring training and had no contact with anyone associated with the club. And even with that, Bowden is desperate enough to take the chance that Pokey's attitude might rub off on these players, just to have another body on hand.
So, this signing adds to the lengthy collection of former Reds that have gotten jobs under the Bowden regime in Washington. Here's the list of players/employees that I've been able to put together. Am I missing anyone?
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