Watch Off the Bench Presented by UDF with Chatterbox Sports Monday-Friday 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. LIVE on the Chatterbox Sports YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE to the channel to ensure you never miss a thing. Yesterday, March 25, 2025, the Cincinnati Reds played an exhibition game against their top prospects at Day Air Ballpark in Dayton, Ohio, kicking off their pre-season preparations for the 2025 MLB season. The game showcased the Reds’ mix of emerging talent and established players as they gear up for Opening Day on March 27 against the San Francisco Giants. Matt McLain stole the spotlight early, launching a three-run homer in the second inning to give the Reds a commanding 4-0 lead, thrilling the crowd and signaling his readiness after missing all of 2024 due to injury. Elly De La Cruz also impressed, ripping an opposite-field single, further boosting optimism for the season ahead under new manager Terry Francona. However, the prospects fought back, with Will Benson tying the game at 4-4 with a two-run homer off Chase Petty. While full box scores remain unofficial for this exhibition, posts on X highlighted the Reds’ offensive firepower and the prospects’ resilience. The game served as a promising tune-up, with fans and analysts eager to see if Cincinnati’s young core can translate this energy into a playoff push after a disappointing 77-85 finish in 2024. Richard William Pitino, born September 16, 1982, is an American college basketball coach currently leading the Xavier Musketeers. The son of legendary coach Rick Pitino, Richard has carved his own path in the sport. After graduating from Providence College in 2005 with a history degree, he began his coaching career as an assistant at various schools, including Northeastern, Duquesne, and Louisville, where he worked under his father. Pitino’s head coaching journey started at Florida International University (FIU) in 2012, where he turned a struggling team into an 18-14 squad in one season. In 2013, he took over at Minnesota, leading the Golden Gophers to an NIT Championship in 2014 and earning Big Ten Coach of the Year honors in 2017 after a 16-win improvement. Despite an eight-year tenure, he was fired in 2021 following a 14-15 season. Days later, he joined New Mexico, revitalizing the Lobos with a 26-10 record in 2023-24, winning the Mountain West Tournament, and reaching the NCAA Tournament—his fourth as a head coach. Now at Xavier, hired in 2025, Pitino’s career record stands at 247-186 (.570). Known for high-pressure defense and roster turnarounds, he continues to build on his father’s legacy while establishing his own.