Reds set to deliver emotional Brandon Phillips moment fans will love

At long last, Brandon Phillips will be enshrined in the Cincinnati Reds' Hall of Fame. The legendary second baseman officially earned the honor back in December, but today is the day that he'll join a long list of franchise luminaries in the Queen City.

That's not the only part of the ceremony worth waiting for, though. Phillips, who never officially retired despite his last Major League game coming all the way back in 2018, is going to sign a one-day contract with the Reds to end his career with the team he spent most of his career playing for.

Affectionately known as Dat Dude BP, the three-time All-Star will be joined by former Reds pitcher Aaron Harang, outfielder Reggie Sanders (who's waited a long time for this distinction), and World Series-winning manager Lou Piniella in the team's circle of honor.

Brandon Phillips set to join the Reds Hall of Fame

Phillips was acquired by the Reds just before the start of the 2006 season in a laughably lopsided trade with the Cleveland. The deal was a one-for-one swap for a player to be named later, who wound up being pitcher Jeff Stevens — a player who never appeared in a game for Cleveland during his brief career.

Meanwhile, Phillips rewrote record books in Cincinnati, finishing his career with the most hits, home runs, RBIs, and doubles by a second baseman in franchise history. In total, he hit .279/.325/.429, posting a near-even split of homers (191) and steals (194) during his 11 seasons with the team.

Phillips also earned all of his career accolades with the Reds, which include three trips to the Midsummer Classic, four Gold Glove Awards, and a Silver Slugger. Alongside Joey Votto and Jay Bruce, Phillips was a key piece of a roster that won multiple NL Central titles in the early 2010s.

Despite his success, Phillips didn't sustain his defensive prowess or power-speed skills long enough to earn enshrinement in Cooperstown. He fell off the MLB Hall of Fame ballot during his first year, earning just one vote in 2024.

That lack of national recognition hardly dampens what will go down as one of the most impressive Cincinnati sports legacies of the past 25 years, though. Among every position player in franchise history, his 28.6 WAR ranks 17th, sandwiched between Frank McCormick and Ted Kluszewski. Not bad company.

This honorary contract is a nice touch on top of what should be an emotional day at Great American Ball Park. Phillips has long deserved this honor. As the man himself said: He's a Red for life.

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