Brandon Phillips never quits fighting for his job

GOODYEAR, Ariz. - It seems like just yesterday that Brandon Phillips was a brash young acquisition. Phillips is still brash, but he's now starting his eighth season in a Reds uniform.

Phillips has won Gold Gloves, he's been to All-Star games, but he admits that he still fights for his job every spring and every game. 

"There's always somebody out there that wants to take my job," Phillips told reporters. He also knows that a career can end at any time, so he tries to enjoy every minute he's on the field.

Phillips represents a strong continuity on this Reds team. Bronson Arroyo is also starting his eighth season in Cincinnati. Jay Bruce is only 26 years old but he's starting his sixth season with the Reds. Joey Votto is starting his seventh year with the club.

Dusty Baker talked about the need for continuity Sunday. He compared it to an NFL quarterback who has success because he works several years with the same offensive coordinator. The familiarity is important.

"They know what I require, they know my humor, my temperament," said Baker, who is starting his sixth season as Reds skipper. And they know his staff of Chris Speier, Billy Hatcher, Brook Jacoby, Mark Berry and Bryan Price just as well. 

"It's a huge deal," said Baker."

The players know what to expect from day to day, from game to game. It's often overlooked in assessing why some teams win and why some teams lose.