Looking forward to Maysville/Mason County Night at GABP

Even though I've been down on Major League Baseball since the 1994 World Series was cancelled by the players' strike, I am looking forward to Maysville/Mason County Night at Great American Ball Park Friday night. I have a lot of fond memories of going to the Reds' games. My first trip to Crosley Field was in 1968 or 1969 on Bat Day. The Big Red Machine days at Riverfront Stadium were fun because you just knew the home team was going to win. I got to witness Tom Seaver's 3,000th career strikeout. Dewey Rose and I marched on the Astroturf at Riverfront Stadium on Banner Day. We both made banners, but Dewey's was confiscated. The Reds were awful that season and Dewey's banner had a drawing of the Reds being gonged, ala The Gong Show. A security guard didn't see the humor in it and took the banner. Dewey helped me carry my banner. I was also on hand for Johnny Bench Night. It was a thrill to see Bench hit a home run that night. Kelly Faulkner and I made a banner that said "Maysville Loves Johnny." Leo McKay took a photo of the banner for the Ledger-Independent. A couple of years ago, I sat through a two-hour rain delay at Great American Ball Park. The game ended after midnight when Ken Griffey Jr. delivered a walk-off base hit. I've also had fun covering the Reds as a reporter. I used to go to Opening Day every year on a media pass. A couple of experiences stick out. Clint Hurdle almost ran over me when he charged away from his locker when reporters kept asking him about his poor day at the plate. He said something about the media coming back later in the season to see what he was batting. Hurdle was traded before the season was over. I remember Ken Griffey Senior being shocked to see a female reporter in the clubhouse as he strolled out of the showers buck naked. (Female reporters in the clubhouse were fairly rare back then). Griffey looked at me and asked what she was doing in there. I shrugged my shoulders, and he retreated to get a towel. One year I got the bright idea to get my hair permed after I saw Dayton Daily News beat reporter Hal McCoy with a perm. It was a stupid thing to do. My hair frizzed out and I had the perm removed the next day. Hopefully we'll see an exciting game Friday night. The Reds came from behind for a big win today. I do know I won't be changing my hair style.

(Updated to correct that Ken Griffey Jr. delivered the walk-off hit.)