Pokey Reese

Calvin "Pokey" Reese, Jr. (born June 10, 1973), is a former American Major League Baseball infielder. Reese played with the Cincinnati Reds (1997-2001), Pittsburgh Pirates (2002-2003), and Boston Red Sox (2004). He batted and threw right-handed. Reese got his nickname "Pokey" because he was an obese baby and his grandmother was going to call him Porkey, but accidentally called him Pokey. Reese was known for his defense, winning two Gold Gloves during his career.

Career

Reese was born in Columbia, South Carolina and began his baseball career with the Princeton Reds of the Rookie-level Appalachian League in 1991. The next season, he moved up to Single-A, joining the Charleston Wheelers of the South Atlantic League.

He made his Major League debut with the Reds in 1997 and played with the team through 2001, winning two Gold Glove Awards along the way.

Following the 2001 season, he spent time on four different teams in a span of 45 days. On December 18, he was traded to the Colorado Rockies and the next day he was traded to the Red Sox for first baseman Scott Hatteberg, but the Red Sox did not tender him a contract, making him a free agent two days later. On January 30, 2002, he signed with the Pirates.