Bally Sports Redsfest presented by PNC attracted 16,289 fans to the Duke Energy Convention Center on Dec. 1-2, 2023, with a total of 79 major league players, coaches, alumni and broadcasters in attendance.

Redsfest is the largest team fan festival throughout Major League Baseball. Activities included autographs and meet & greets with current and former players, interactive games, photo booths, kids-only events, game-used memorabilia and much more.

“Thanks to the loyalty and support of our fans, Redsfest continues to set a standard as one of the best fan festivals in all of sports,” said Reds President and Chief Operating Officer Phil Castellini. “The involvement of Reds players, coaches, alumni and broadcasters brings the event to life, while the planning and execution provided by the Reds staff and over 400 volunteers is extraordinary.”

Said Reds outfielder TJ Friedl, “The excitement and the energy that I felt at Redsfest was incredible, from Friday evening all the way into Saturday it was nonstop. I think that energy is a testament to all the fans and how much the city of Cincinnati cares about the team. It means a lot to us as players to have the city behind us and we really saw that during the 2023 season, and I think everyone is excited for 2024.”

Highlights from Redsfest include:

– Kids-only autograph sessions with stars such as Elly De La Cruz, Spencer Steer, Hunter Greene, Matt McLain and TJ Friedl; Redsfest Home Run Derby featuring major leaguers Stuart Fairchild, TJ Hopkins and Nick Martini and former players Devin Mesoraco, Chris Heisey and Zack Cozart who teamed up with Reds Nike RBI baseball and softball players. Fairchild and Reds Nike RBI standout Kenny Pope, Jr. won the event with a combined 47 home runs; Vincent Webster from Erlanger, Kentucky emerged from over 420 poker players to win the $10,000 first prize at the Prestige Audio Visual & Creative Services Rick Steiner Celebrity Poker Tournament presented by Ashlee Fence. Reds catcher Luke Maile finished sixth overall in the tournament.

Reds Annual Team Player Awards:

– The annual Reds team awards from the local chapter of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America were presented on the Main Stage on Friday. Infielder/outfielder Spencer Steer was named winner of the Ernie Lombardi Award as team Most Valuable Player, closer Alexis Díaz received the Johnny Vander Meer Most Outstanding Pitcher Award for the second consecutive year, and outfielder TJ Friedl was honored with the Joe Nuxhall Good Guy Award.

MLB Selig Award Presentation:

– On Friday night at Redsfest, the Reds were announced as the recipient of Major League Baseball’s 2023 “Allan H. Selig Award for Philanthropic Excellence.” The honor recognizes the organization’s annual “Reds Community Makeover” program, which serves as a community resource to provide revitalization efforts in underserved communities throughout the greater Cincinnati region. Reds Hall of Famer and MLB Network analyst Sean Casey presented the Selig Award to Reds President and Chief Operating Officer Phil Castellini and Reds Community Fund Executive Director Charley Frank. Joining them on the Main Stage were representatives from Community Makeover partners P&G, the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, GE Aerospace and the Village of Lincoln Heights.

“We find it so fulfilling to give back to the fans who make Redsfest such a success by having its proceeds benefit our baseball, softball, education, and community building programs throughout the communities of Reds Country,” Frank said.