Reds' Nick Krall signed relief pitcher while on the safari at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Billy Heyen

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Reds' Nick Krall signed relief pitcher while on the safari at Disney's Animal Kingdom image

Shoutout to The Athletic's Zack Meisel, who unearthed a bunch of awesome stories of baseball front office folks getting deals done in odd situations.

One of these: Cincinnati Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall closing a deal while on the safari at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

The contract story Krall shared with Meisel involved his signing of relief pitcher Drew Storen in 2017.

"Just after New Year’s Day 2017, the Reds signed reliever Drew Storen to a one-year deal. Krall finalized the contract over the phone while wrapping up a safari at Disney’s Animal Kingdom," Meisel wrote.

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This wasn't the only Krall story at Disney, either.

"Three years earlier, as Krall stood in line with his family for 45 minutes to meet Mickey Mouse at the Magic Kingdom, he was on and off the phone hashing out a trade with the Philadelphia Phillies for outfielder Marlon Byrd," Meisel writes. "They were five feet from the front of the line when his phone rang one final, critical time. His wife, who affectionately refers to his phone as his 'appendage,' said they were not getting out of line. Krall completed the swap of Byrd and cash for pitcher Ben Lively with Mickey within ear(s)shot."

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Incredible stuff.

Krall added this himself in a quote to Meisel: "Nothing ever happens in your office."

That Storen signing, by the way? He had a 4.45 ERA in that ensuing season, which was his last year in the major leagues. Not exactly blockbuster stuff.

But that's the nature of the beast. These deals get done, whenever they can get done.

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