Cincinnati Reds infielders have the same routine after the final out in each win. The four of them will huddle closely together, bow their heads, say a few words and then line up for the typical victory handshake line.
The infield huddle is just a small way to celebrate wins, but it’s one way to see how Mike Moustakas influences the team.
It was a tradition that Moustakas brought to the group after he did it with Eric Hosmer in Kansas City and with the Milwaukee Brewers.
“That comes from we’re always together and we are a family,” Eugenio Suárez said. “The infielders, we are coming in together and saying, ‘this is our game. We’re doing a really good job as a family.’”
When the Reds signed Moustakas to a four-year, $64 million contract prior to the 2020 season, they thought he’d quickly become a clubhouse leader. That was his reputation from other teams. He’s won a World Series championship and been a part of several playoff teams.
More:Michael Lorenzen out until June, Cincinnati Reds claim Moeller grad Phillip Diehl off waivers
During the 2020 season, the Reds traveled with a gold gong that could be held up by a string. They’d celebrate wins by having somebody bang the gong with a mallet, kick-starting the celebration in the clubhouse. Players asked manager David Bell to do it after they cliched their spot in the playoffs. That was another tradition that Moustakas brought to the Reds from Kansas City.
“He’s excellent, excellent, excellent in terms of celebrating wins,” Joey Votto said of Moustakas. “We didn’t do that before. Some routine things in terms of, like, post-win routines, I have to give him credit. We haven’t had a figure like that on the position player side in a long time and he’s really filled that void.
“I can see why he was a part of culture changes in Kansas City and in Milwaukee and now in Cincinnati. It’s very important to have that. He's a good player, so that's important, but I think it just changes the energy on a daily basis. You look forward to wins and coming to the park every day. He’s a part of that. Winning clubhouses are good clubhouses but sometimes there’s a person who can help keep you afloat when you struggle a little bit and he’s got that strength.”
More:'They had their lineups stacked:' Cincinnati Reds fall as the San Francisco Giants strike late
When the Reds struggled in the first month of last season, teammates cited Moustakas’ absence when he was on the 10-day injured list with a quad bruise. He was new to the team, but he already was such a big part of the clubhouse.
“One of the things he doesn’t get enough credit for – or maybe he does – is he’s a fantastic teammate,” Votto said. “He’s all about the team. He knows how to bring guys together. You can use the word leader and that would be an appropriate word.
“He’s changed the culture in some ways here, and for the better. It’s not a strength of mine some of the things he does. He fills that void tremendously.”
Moustakas doesn’t like to talk about all the rituals he’s brought to the Reds, and he’ll credit other teammates for the way they lead. He called Votto “a phenomenal leader” because of his work ethic and work behind the scenes. Sonny Gray is always talking to somebody and lending advice when he’s asked.
Gray bought white headbands off a website that had “Moustakas” written across it with Moustakas’ number (9). Gray distributed them to teammates, which some of them wear during pre-game workouts and interviews.
What Moustakas does so well is that he finds unique ways to celebrate wins and highlight achievements.
“Winning a Major League baseball game is hard to do and every time you win, it’s to be celebrated,” Moustakas said. “There are guys that had incredible games. Geno had a great defensive game (Monday). Joey is the first Red to hit the ball into the water. (Lucas) Sims’ first save. These are things that need to be celebrated with the boys.
“It’s stuff that needs to be noticed. We just have a lot of fun doing it and it’s something the boys do together, especially a time like this. It’s hard to get all the boys together. Being able to celebrate wins is fun.”
Moustakas learned from players like Alex Gordon and James Shields at the beginning of his career in Kansas City. He said Gordon was a “lead-by-example kind of guy,” and that Shields was similar to him.
The Royals were known for their tight-knit clubhouse when they won back-to-back American League pennants in 2014 and ’15.
“The great thing about what we had going in Kansas City was it wasn't just one person, we all led at different times in our own ways,” Moustakas said. “That's kind of what I'm hoping to get here. We definitely have that now.
“The younger guys are doing stuff their way. Older guys are doing stuff their way. Everyone's kind of meshing really well right now. It's been fun.”
Source link
