Ryan Freel, is there another athlete in the game like him...?

http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news...t_id=1901859&vkey=news_cin&fext=.jsp&c_id=cin

CINCINNATI -- You won't hear something like this every day from a ballplayer.

The ink had barely dried on Ryan Freel's new, two-year, $7 million contract extension on Monday, and he was already discussing his willingness to give up his everyday spot in center field to Josh Hamilton.

"I think this kid is something special," Freel said. "With the addition of him on this team, I might be working a little more in the infield, which I don't have a problem with. I just know that kid helps us win. He's an unbelievable player."

Hamilton, the former overall No. 1 draft pick in 1999 by Tampa Bay with a well-chronicled off-the-field past, has been a national sensation since making the Reds out of Spring Training as a Rule 5 Draft selection.

With Hamilton as the fourth outfielder behind Freel, Ken Griffey Jr. and Adam Dunn, manager Jerry Narron has been challenged to find the rookie starts and at-bats. Narron has had Freel, a utility player that can play five positions, taking ground balls at second and third base the past few days.

"I know you have to have a guy like that in the lineup," Freel said of Hamilton. "He's one of the better athletes I've seen. Sky's the limit for him. I will put myself aside any day, any time in order for us to win a championship. Regardless of where he's been and what's he done or only playing this much, he's the type of guy that can step in and play every day. And he's the type of guy that will put up good numbers if you stick with him. I don't have any problem with that ... especially now."

Hamilton was not in Monday's lineup vs. the Brewers, but he started four of the previous five games. And as a pinch-hitter Monday, the 25-year-old Hamilton hit his third homer of the season, a two-run shot in the ninth inning in the 10-6 loss. He has plenty of respect for Freel and his selflessness.

"That speaks for itself," Hamilton said. "Me and Ryan have a good relationship. We get along, not just in baseball but off-the-field things. We have a lot of stuff in common. I'm the same way he is. If he plays, I'm rooting for him. If I play, he's rooting for me."

Reds manager Jerry Narron planned to start Hamilton somewhere in the lineup on Tuesday.

"We have to find a way to get him out there as much as possible," Narron said.


That is one of the most unselfish acts you will ever see from an athlete. I have always been a big Ryan Freel fan because he bust his balls every play, but that is a whole new ball game when it comes to giving up your spot.

Dsethi said:

lots like him. Everyone may think Alfonso Soriano was the norm, very stubborn about switching from 2B, but i'm sure lots of players would switch positions for the better of the team. it's not like Freel isn't getting paid either. And building goodwill toward an organization could go a long way.

Hell look at A-Rod, he didn't make a huge stink about moving to 3B, did he? Or Nomar moving to 1B. It happens more often than you think.

Click to expand...

Freel is offering to sit on the bench for this kid to play... He said if he has to play the infield more often to get him to play then so be it, but he said he'll sit on the bench if it means he'll start.

Not many players would sit on the bench to let someone else play...

I like Freel a lot. Hussles and likes to play. $$$ isn't a factor, at least not a huge factor for him.

yeah there are more team players out there that want to do whatever to win. Look at Tom Brady. He made sure when he signed his most recent contract that it wasn't such that it wouldn't allow the Pats to sign other quality free agents. Yes he deserves the money but could have sucked them dry of all their cap room.

Ryan sounds nice but it's not the first time it's happened in sports as Dsethi pointed out.

sawastea said:

I like Freel a lot. Hussles and likes to play. $$$ isn't a factor, at least not a huge factor for him.

Click to expand...

Yeah I agree... really like how he plays and really cares about winning. Nothing more you can ask.

"He's one of the better athletes I've seen. Sky's the limit for him. I will put myself aside any day, any time in order for us to win a championship."

DSethi that is where he said he will sit out if he has to. Saw an interview with Freel after he signed his contract where they asked him this question, and said what if it requires you to become a utility player again? And he said if we are a better team and winning with his bat in the lineup, which will happen, that he had one goal and that is to win.

That is a lot coming from an athlete. I think Freel could have gotten more then 3.5 million a year as well but chose to stay in a place he loves. Very loyal and a big time hustle player.

Benny Shoe I agree, but it is one thing to take less money, which I think Freel did as well, but it is another thing to give up his starting spot.

Brady just deferred the money, he is getting it all but just over a longer period of time, but I still applaud him. But to give up your starting spot is amazing. Lets not forget it took Freel 8 years to get to the big leagues, then another 4 years to earn a starting job, and now after all that hard work he is willing to give up his spot. That is what amazes me more so.