Blue Wahoos Earn High-Fives, Standing O at Airport
Pensacola, Fla. - As the new bunch of Pensacola Blue Wahoos stepped off the plane at Pensacola International Airport, they were met by about 200 fans waving signs, giving out high-fives and cheering loudly on their feet.
For most Double-A players, it was an unexpected welcome party.
The Cincinnati Reds No. 1 pitching prospect Robert Stephenson, who hopes to make the major leagues again by year's end, said the Pensacola greeting made his day.
"We love this city and its fans," he said.
New Wahoos Manager Pat Kelly said the large crowd packing the airport's second-floor lobby was unexpected.
"This is incredible," said Kelly, who finally gets his team together on the field in Atmore, Ala., for the first time Tuesday, April 7. "This is a great crowd."
Fans at the airport welcoming included season ticket holders since the inaugural Wahoos season in 2012-Holly and Joe Walsh, Denise Hemenway and Hal and Pat Brewer.
"We're always excited and optimistic," Joe Walsh said. "There are a lot of good ones back."
Some names that Wahoos fans may recognize, include top Reds prospects such as outfielder Jesse Winker, outfielder/first baseman Kyle Waldrop, pitcher Daniel Corcino and third baseman Seth Mejias-Brean.
Waldrop, who batted .273 with a homer and five runs-batted in during Reds camp, said he's happy to be back in Pensacola and expects to play a lot more at first base this season.
"I'm trying to become more versatile and give myself more options," Waldrop said.
Mejias-Brean said this year's crop of Blue Wahoos expect to deliver a winning team for Pensacola fans.
"We all have a winning attitude," he said. "We compete every pitch and every at bat. We don't care about our numbers as much as getting more runs than the other teams."
The Wahoos open the regular season against the Milwaukee Brewers Double-A affiliate the Biloxi Shuckers on Thursday, April 9.
- Pensacola Blue Wahoos -
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos are the Double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. Tickets for the 2015 season still remain and can be purchased by calling the box office at (850) 934-8444 or in person at the Hill Kelly Dodge Pickup Window. Follow the Blue Wahoos at bluewahoos.com, facebook.com/PensacolaBlueWahoos and twitter.com/BlueWahoosBBall.