“I think, being a veteran, first night, he’s been through it before — I thought it was a good idea to run him out there,” DeShields said.
At 24, Pfister — who went 0-for-4 and hit into a game-ending double play — is the oldest Dragon (three months older than pitcher Jason Braun), beginning his third season with the team.
Seven players in the starting lineup made their full-season minor-league debuts Thursday, including upper-echelon Reds prospects Billy Hamilton at shortstop and Yorman Rodriguez in center field.
“I’m not worried, but I just know this is going to be new for them,” DeShields said. “When we were playing in Goodyear (Ariz., during spring training), there were no fans. You step out in front of 10,000, it’s going to be different.”
DeShields said he had no concerns about Hamilton — “he always has energy” — but that Rodriguez had seemed “a little moody.”
“We were a little concerned about Yorman,” DeShields said. “Something’s going on back home (in Venezuela). But he seems to be doing a lot better.”
DeShields managed most of the current Dragons in Billings last season, so it’s not as if introductions were necessary.
“I tell these guys all the time, they won’t find a guy easier to play for than me,” DeShields said. “Don’t have a lot of rules. Just play hard, be professional. Other than that, I’m going to treat them like men until they give me reason to do otherwise.”
FOSSAS REDUCES: During his 12-year major-league career as a pitcher, Dragons pitching coach Tony Fossas was known as "The Mechanic."
In the offseason, Fossas tuned up his body, losing 22 pounds after gaining 40.
“I love chocolate ice cream, desserts and cheesecake,” Fossas said. “When my wife would go to sleep, I would eat. I was like a little mouse hiding from my wife.”
But with a family history of heart disease and diabetes, Fossas said he finally put his mind to trimming down on the advice of his doctor.
How did he do it?
“I walked every day,” he said. “And ate small meals.”
CORRECTION: When told Dragons fans don't boo their team, DeShields showed he knew something about how last season had gone. The Dragons lost 24 straight home games from late June to late August.
“I heard after 20 straight they got a little testy,” DeShields said.
DRAGON TALES: Catcher Tucker Barnhart, a 10th-round draft pick in 2009 from Brownsburg (Ind.) High School, was 2-for-2 gunning down Hot Rots attempting to steal second. ... DeShields is wearing No. 90. Significance? "That was my first year in the big leagues, 1990." ... Centerville resident Jim Stone, 76, sang the national anthem in a snappy one minute, 33 seconds. His rendition was well-received.
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