Larkin celebrates with Reds fans

CINCINNATI - Barry Larkin is back in Cincinnati to celebrate his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame with Reds fans.

The Moeller High School grad spent Thursday at the Reds Hall of Fame taking pictures with fans and sharing stories about his 19 years with the team.

Larkin will have his number 11 officially retired by the team Saturday.

He says clubhouse manager Rick Stowe told him in 2005 that nobody else would wear number 11.

Larkin talked about when current Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips was asked if he wanted to wear 11, Phillips said he couldn't wear Larkin's number.

"There's always been that respect there and I appreciate that," said Larkin.

Larkin helped the Reds win the 1990 World Series and was name the National League's Most Valuable Player in 1995.

But for fans, Larkin is much more than just a great baseball player.

"He's a man of integrity, it wasn't just his ball playing, it was the kind of person that he was," said Reds fan Mary Gausman.