Ludwick, who has always bled Red, signs with Cincinnati

Ryan Ludwick was born in Florida and went to high school in Las Vegas, but he grew up a Reds fan.

So Ludwick was very pleased to sign as free agent with Cincinnati. Ludwick's one-year $2.5 million deal with a mutual option became official Feb. 8.

"People might find it hard to believe," he said. "But this the most excited I've been in my career. ... It's a dream come true."

His father Dale's family is from Georgetown, Ohio, right up the road from Cincinnati. Dale was in the Air Force, so the family moved around.

"I was always a Reds and Bengals fan," he said. "It's pretty cool to finally be a Red."

Ludwick's hero was Eric Davis.

"Being left-handed in Little League, it was either first base or outfield," Ludwick said. "I always played center field. I can remember my dad throwing me pop flies and diving for them like Eric.

"People might not remember it, but before he started getting hurt, Eric was one of the most exciting defensive players in the game."

The Reds signed Ludwick for his bat, but he prides himself on defense.

"I played center field a lot with Texas," he said. "Then I hurt my hip and lost some of my speed, so they moved me to a corner. But I still pride myself on defense. I don't take time off out there."

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