I just know guys are in scoring position. I tell myself to go up there, get a good pitch and get a good cut at it. Deion Sanders' nameplate and his No. 2 jersey were missing from his locker cubicle in the Reds' clubhouse yesterday and his picture had been removed from the lobby wall. A single Sanders model bat was the only evidence of the football player's presence with the Reds since spring training, and it had been left on the floor, trademark down. After the news conference announcing his return to the NFL, Sanders said the Reds had contacted him when outfielder Alex Ochoa went on the disabled list last week because of an emergency appendectomy.
Baseball is baseball.
Sanders had done rehabilitation work on his surgically repaired right knee with the Reds in Sarasota, Fla., in February and March with the announced plan of returning to baseball after almost three years away from the game. He started the season on a medical rehabilitation assignment with Class AAA Louisville, where he played 25 games. He hit .200 in 125 at-bats and left when Reds general manager Jim Bowden suggested he would have to stay longer in the minor leagues. Bowden refused comment on whether he called Sanders when Ochoa became ill. Ochoa was cleared for light activity yesterday and played catch.