D-backs outfielder Josh Reddick’s history with Lovullo, Hazen a plus

Outfielder Josh Reddick may be suiting up in an Arizona Diamondbacks uniform for the first time, but he’ll be seeing some familiar faces in the dugout and front office.

Reddick first entered the league in 2009 and spent multiple years with the Boston Red Sox’ Triple-A team, the Pawtucket Red Sox. By 2010, the minor league team was managed by none other than now-D-backs skipper Torey Lovullo.

As the 13-year MLB veteran dons Sedona Red, it’s as if no time has passed at all between the two.

“Really enjoyed playing for the guy because he was very vocal with his guys, especially me,” Reddick said of Lovullo on Thursday. “So I’ve got a good relationship built with him there. I think it was great coming to a team where I had some experience with the manager.

“I think he and I picked up right where we left off 10 years ago. It doesn’t feel like 10 years ago, but it is a long time ago.”

Lovullo was equally as complimentary of Reddick, who for the past four years has played for the Houston Astros.

Reddick signed with Arizona as a free agent in April and made his D-backs debut Thursday against the Dodgers as the team continues to battle against an injury bug.

“He’s a good baseball player and he’s been doing it at a very high level for a very long time,” Lovullo said via Zoom. “In a time of need with somebody doing their job and being very productive in Reno, we felt like this was a good opportunity to have him come up and help us win some baseball games.

“That’s the bottom line. We’re lucky that his decision got him into this organization. Several of us have a long history with him and we believe in what he’s able to do.”

That history also includes general manager Mike Hazen.

In a player development and amateur scouting role for the Red Sox, Hazen oversaw the franchise’s farm system at the time Reddick was there.

The outfielder added that the two often didn’t see eye to eye…mostly due to Reddick’s youthful determination.

“I was that crazy, stubborn kid from south Georgia that kind of did things his own way,” he said. “Back then, it was about them helping you develop the way that they needed to to get you up to where you needed to be. We bumped heads but I think we’ve gotten along great. Even in those days, as soon as we bumped heads, we were able to work it out really quick and just talk things out.”

Reddick called those “butting head” moments defining to his growth as a player that ultimately helped him mature and get to where he is today.

During four years with the Astros, Reddick hit 48 home runs, racked up 208 RBIs and hit for a batting average of .278.

The veteran outfielder was also a part of the 2017 Astros squad that won the World Series by defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers.

After what he called a slow offseason as a free agent, Reddick is more than happy to hit the field for the D-backs in any capacity he can.

“One thing I will pride myself in in this game is I truly love this game and I want to play as long as I can,” he said. “Whether it be 40, 42, 43, 44 until my body tells me I can’t do it.

“If it’s at this level, fantastic. If it’s at Triple-A level, then so be it. I want to play as long as I can. … I was put on this earth to play baseball and that’s what I’m here to do.”

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