A little something different

Because I sometimes tire of writing the same ol' about our Local Heros, I'm going to start using This Space, occasionally, for other things. Dude can only write the name "Joe Blanton'' so much before his head explodes. In that vein...

I got asked yesterday for about the millionth time "what are the players really like?'' I answered for the millionth time, "I have no idea.'' I mean, I can tell you the image they project. I can write what I observe. But often, that's only what they want me to observe. Stanley Wilson, standing in front of me, was quiet and humble. Stanley Wilson, in his hotel bathroom the night before the '89 Super Bowl, was someone else.

Eugene Robinson went from NFL man of the year to chasing hookers on Biscayne Boulevard, in a matter of days. And so on.

What's Griffey like? Beats me. I'm not in that circle. Never will be.

But just for the fun of it, for purposes of amusement only, here are a few glimpses, sideways and skewed maybe, but accurate from how they are in front of me, of current Reds. See if your image matches mine.

Kent Mercker: Guy I'd most like to have a Keystone Light with.

Dusty Baker: Blues club, table in the back, nods and silence as the music plays.

Adam Dunn: General disdain daily, would smash my face with a shaving -cream pie if he had the energy to put one together.

Scott Hatteberg: Sunday New York Times crossword, drinking a latte on his deck facing Puget Sound. Some guys (Dunn) you have to talk to. Others you enjoy talking to. Hatteberg is in the latter category.

Brandon Phillips: In the club, sitting VIP. Also, at home, just being with family. Guy most likely to "keep it real'' and stay true to how he was raised. I could be way off on this one. That's part of what makes covering sports so interesting. I hope I'm not.

David Ross: Next door neighbor, helping you move in. My daughter loves David Ross. He got wind of that (er, somehow) and called her, just to say thanks. Jillian will never forget it.

Bronson Arroyo: Big boat, blue water, guitar. Cool. Very cool.

Todd Coffey: Wants so much to do well, to please. Should develop an edge, please himself.

Joey Votto: Solid, physically and otherwise. Guy you call at 3 am from the lockup, and he's there. I'm waiting to see if September was a mirage. Lots of kids hit in September, often against other kids.

Jay Bruce: "Ladies and gentlemen, the president of the United States...''

Matt Belisle: Best friend from high school. Fun (does a dead-on Wayne Krivsky impression), with a streak of Texas mule. Can think too much. Needs to let it fly. Kinda like me on the radio.

Junior Griffey: A guy I've wanted to know better, who never let me in.