PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – He had the richest contract in Pirates history, until he woke up before the Bucs hosted the Dodgers on Tuesday night. Ke’Bryan Hayes said he slept in and said he had no idea Bryan Reynolds became the first in team history to sign a $100 million contract (nearly $107) until he was driving to the ballpark. His reaction?
“Super happy for him,” Hayes said. “We are all happy he is staying here, can’t wait for him to get back.”
Reynolds remains out on the bereavement list after the death of a family member. Starting pitcher JT Brubaker has been teammates with Reynolds for three years, he says what media and fans see from Reynolds is authentic. He’s quiet, focused, prepared, basically he shows up ready to work hard every day.
Brubaker said Reynolds shows what a winning team does without having to verbalize it. It’s about leading by example and he’s watched as young players are copying.
“It allows people to see that and follow along and do the same thing,” Brubaker told 93.7 The Fan. “If he’s trying to be the best, then he’s making Ji-Hwan Bae be his best. It’s like a chain reaction down the line where eventually you have everyone on the field going what it takes preparing to be the best they can be.”
Is there anything better one teammate can say about another? Brubaker isn’t the only one saying it, Carlos Santana said he represents the Pirates the right way.
“Each and every night you know what you are going to get out of him,” Hayes said. “He’s in that lineup every single night and we are thankful for that. He works hard each and every day. I think he plays the game the right way.”
“I think everybody knows every single day he is ready to play,” said Bucs closer David Bednar. “He plays the game really hard every single day. I think everybody picks up on that and feeds off that. It’s invaluable.”
“He plays hard,” said rookie Canaan Smith-Njigba. “He gets down to it. He’s an all-around great ballplayer. He’s not just about hitting. What he does defensively, base-running. He’s a big help for me. I always ask him a lot of questions. He’s a big role model for me. I’m excited to see him get what he deserves.”
There is a bigger significance to the signing for guys in the room, or really for any player or Pirates employee. As Hayes said the Reynolds signing is important to building a winning team.
“I think it’s really special, not only Bryan as a player, but as a person,” Bednar said. “Really pumped for him and his family. More importantly, I’m pumped to have him as a teammate for a long amount of time.”
“He is Pittsburgh,” Smith-Njigba said. “A true gamer. A guy who grinds each and every day. A man deserved to get paid and he got paid. It’s incredible for B-Ray. I can’t wait to see him and give him a big hug. I’m sure it’s a big lift off his shoulders as well.”
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“He always wanted to stay here,” Hayes said. “He would always say it. He will be even more comfortable now and can go out and have fun. He doesn’t have to worry about that side of it now.”
Nearly $107 million can alleviate a lot of worries. It’s also an example of Pirates management being more like Reynolds, where actions are more powerful than words.