ST. PETERSBURG – Brandon Phillips hasn't worn a Reds uniform on the field since 2016, and his Major League playing career ended after the 2018 season. But on Saturday, the day he is scheduled to be inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame with three other franchise greats, Phillips will sign a ceremonial one-day contract.
The contract, announced on Wednesday, will enable Phillips to retire as a Red.
“Brandon Phillips was an incredible baseball player. He brought a style and personality that Reds fans absolutely loved,” Reds President and CEO Phil Castellini said in a statement. “He was a cornerstone of our club and one of the most dynamic players in the game. The connection he built with this city was real, and retiring him as a Red is our chance to honor that unforgettable relationship.”
From 2006-16 with Cincinnati, Phillips became a franchise record holder for a second baseman with 1,174 hits, 311 doubles and 191 home runs. He was a three-time All-Star (2010, '11, '13), a four-time Gold Glove winner and a Silver Slugger award recipient.
In 2007, Phillips slugged 30 home runs with 32 stolen bases, making him one of three players in club history to be a 30-30 player, putting him in the company of Barry Larkin and Eric Davis.
Phillips was also a big contributor to three Reds playoff teams – the 2010 and '12 National League Central Division winners and the '13 club that earned an NL Wild Card berth.
Acquired by the Reds from Cleveland on April 7, 2006, for Minor League pitcher Jeff Stevens, Phillips proved to be one of the best acquisitions in the storied franchise's long history.
The Reds Hall of Fame induction is celebrating its 2026 class of new members in Phillips, Aaron Harang, Reggie Sanders and Lou Piniella with a multitude of events throughout this weekend's series vs. the Tigers. It includes the induction ceremony of the four individuals before Saturday's game.