Reds bring joy to young fans from children's hospital with reverse card signing

Following a successful first year, Reds outfielder TJ Friedl and his teammates invited kids from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital’s Champions Program for another reverse signing at Great American Ball Park.

Each of the 15 kids at the event was gifted a brand-new Reds hat, batting gloves and baseball, but the star of the show was the custom-made Topps cards each kid received. In a twist on a traditional autograph signing, the kids signed their own cards for the players, who worked their way down the line while getting to know each child and collecting a set of autographed cards from their special guests.

“Each kid had a fun fact about themselves which was cool and helped us get to know them each as individuals,” Matt McLain said. “It means a lot to be able to put smiles on their faces.”

McLain, who attended last year’s reverse card signing, quickly became a fan favorite at this year’s event. The Reds infielder faced off against Reese, one of the autograph signers, in an arm-wrestling contest and happily took the loss.

Bringing this event back to the ballpark meant a lot to many of the players, but likely none more than its originator in Friedl. As a kid, Friedl spent two months staying at San Francisco Children’s Hospital in a room donated by Barry Bonds. To him, the event’s mission is not only a way to support kids across Cincinnati, but also an opportunity to connect with them on a personal level.

“My favorite part about it is just having natural conversations with these kids and getting them over here to the ballpark and getting them in this room and just meeting them,” Friedl said.

For more than an hour, the room was filled with laughter and excitement as the kids were able to see a different side of their favorite players, bonding over things like their favorite sports, hobbies and movies.

In addition to Friedl and McLain, 17 of their teammates joined them last weekend, including Tejay Antone, Graham Ashcraft, Will Banfield, Juan Brito, Brock Burke, Julian Garcia, Pierce Johnson, Carlos Jorge, Nick Lodolo, Rhett Lowder, Luis Mey, Sam Moll, Emilio Pagán, Spencer Steer, Tyler Stephenson, Sal Stewart and José Trevino.

Friedl was thrilled to be joined by so many of his teammates this year and hopeful they’d have a similar experience as he did.

“I just hope they take away the same kind of feeling that I get from it,” he said. “The enjoyment of talking to these kids and getting to meet them and getting to know them and just having that interaction with them. It’s good to take a break away from baseball. Your life gets so consumed with baseball for 180 days out of the year that it’s nice to have days like these where you step away.”

Steer, who also participated in 2025, reflected on what the kids taught him.

“They’re battling with a lot of adversity at a young age, and it’s pretty inspiring to see how they’re able to still be around here with a smile on their face and enjoying life. I can take a lot from that, just seeing how they attack the day, knowing what they’re facing on a daily basis,” he said.

When asked about any moments that stood out to him from the afternoon, one specifically resonated with him.

“I had a kid come up to me right when I got up here and gave me a big old hug wearing a Spencer Steer shirt. Just knowing that I can bring joy to kids and knowing that I [have] fans and try to be a good role model for them,” Steer said.

As excited as the players were to meet the event’s autograph signers, the day meant just as much to the kids.

Addie, a 12-year-old Cincinnati native and lifelong Reds Heads kids club member, shared that she hopes getting to talk to kids like her reminds the players of how important their dedication to the community is.

“Their kindness just helps people, and you never know. It could just help someone’s day feel way better,” she said.

When asked which player she most enjoyed meeting, Addie didn’t hesitate.

“TJ Friedl or Matt McLain. We were just talking a lot. I could see the vibe just flowing. They were really nice.”

For autograph signer Emma, the afternoon came with an extra element of surprise. Her family had decided to keep the event a secret until her arrival, and when she realized what was happening, nobody could keep themselves from joining in her excitement.

“It meant a lot. I’ve never gotten to meet any of them,” Emma said.

When asked about what she hopes the players take away from the event, Emma shared the personal mantra that motivates her on her hardest days: “Keep on going and don’t ever give up.”

The players may have arrived expecting to make the kids’ days, but they left having learned a few lessons of their own. What started as a reverse signing became something much bigger: a reminder that when baseball steps aside, the most meaningful moments can come from simply connecting with one another.