Former Cincinnati Reds fan favorite Brandon Phillips, who turns 40 later this month, signed with the Lexington Legends and will become the first-ever Atlantic League player to be on the roster for a team that he co-owns, the team announced.
Phillips shared video in May via Twitter of his home run and bat flip for the Legends during an exhibition against the Florence Y'alls.
From Phillips via Twitter:
More from the team's announcement of Phillips' signing:
“Having a future Hall of Famer on the Field, in the Clubhouse, and part of the Ownership Group is great for our entire community and the entire game of baseball,” said Legends President & CEO, Andy Shea. “Brandon’s talent level, passion for the game, and engagement with fans is second to none. This is a great day for baseball, to officially have him back on our field.”
Phillips' first regular season game will be the Legends home opener on Tuesday, June 1st as the Legends take on the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs in their inaugural Atlantic League game in Lexington. He will join former Cincinnati Reds teammates Tony Cingrani and Jordan Pacheco on the Legends roster.
The three-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner at second base made his debut for the Legends last August, and Phillips remained with the team throughout the rest of the Battle of the Bourbon Trail - a series involving the Legends, the Lexington Las Leyendas, the Florence Freedom and the Y'alls.
The Legends announced last week that Phillips joined the team's ownership group. The team played exhibition games against the Y'alls on Saturday and Sunday.
Phillips homered for the Baseball Brilliance Sox last July against the Steel City Slammin' Sammies at Washington Wild Things Park.
In 2018, Phillips - despite making just 27 regular-season plate appearances - got his first World Series ring in 17 big-league seasons with the Boston Red Sox defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games.
Phillips hit .279 with 191 home runs, 851 RBIs, 1,774 hits, 311 doubles, 32 triples and 194 stolen bases in his 11 seasons with the Reds before he was dealt to the Braves in 2017. The Reds traded Jeff Stevens to Cleveland for Phillips in April 2006.
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