RUSSELL, Ky. — A local sports writer for the Ashland newspaper asked a fan to describe George Foster, one of the all-time great players in Cincinnati Reds history.

Foster was doing a meet-and-greet autograph signing at Ison’s Cards & Collectibles in downtown Russell, Ky., on Saturday. There was a steady stream of fans who visited to see the Reds’ legend.

Noting the spotlight was on the Big 4 of the Big Red Machine era — Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan and Tony Perez — the fan said Foster was as important and dangerous as anyone in the Reds’ lineup.

And because he was often sitting quietly at his locker while reporters clamored for the Big 4, the fan called Foster “The Silent Assassin.”

Upon overhearing the nickname, Foster smiled and said, “The Silent Assassin. I like that.”

Most Reds fans never got to see enough of Foster and his personality. He loved to flash that famous smile and he was and still is a major cut-up. He spins a quip or a joke every chance he gets.

Despite his imposing but lanky 6-foot-1 frame with big, muscular biceps, Foster was as playful as a month-old puppy.

“I have to listen to this all day,” said Larry Bailey, a friend and semi-retired sports writer who is working on a book with Foster. Bailey just shook his head and grinned.

Foster was engaging with each person who came to visit him. He asked questions and was sincere in his bid to connect with the fans.

His banter with those around him when there was a — let’s call it a break in the action — was non-stop. The jokes kept coming. He didn’t let a comment go unchallenged.

Everyone working that day at Ison’s Cards & Collectibles said the same thing. “He’s really funny.”

Foster may be funny, but his playing career was anything but comical. His accomplishments are Hall of Fame worthy. And when the fan said Foster deserved to be in the Hall of Fame along with another Reds’ player from the Big Red Machine.

The fan didn’t have to say the name. Foster beat him to it.

“Dave Concepcion,” said Foster referring to the great shortstop who could be argued as the best fielder at that position.

Yes. Even better than the great Ozzie Smith. Concepcion was able to do anything Smith could and more, except a backflip which has nothing to do with fielding and throwing a ball.

But that’s a story for another day. The story of George Foster started slow and finished strong.

It took some time for Foster to break into a starting lineup on a permanent basis.

Foster played sparingly in 1969 with the San Francisco Giants. In fact, the most notable moment of the season for him was when Willie Mays pinch-hit for Foster and hit his 600th career home run.

With the Giants in 1971, Foster was the fourth outfielder behind Mays, Bobby Bonds — Barry’s father — and Ken Henderson. But fate stepped in as the Cincinnati Reds traded shortstop Frank Duffy and pitcher Vern Geishert to the Giants on May 29 as they acquired Foster in return.

Geishert pitched very briefly in the majors in 1969 and never returned from the minor leagues. Duffy played for the Giants the rest of the season but was traded along with pitcher Gaylord Perry to the Cleveland Indians for pitcher Sam McDowell.

Bobby Tolan was the Reds’ center fielder but tore his Achilles tendon and Foster was inserted into that spot.

The next season, Foster platooned in rightfield with future centerfielder Cesar Geronimo.

It was in the 1972 National League playoffs that Foster was sent into Game 5 as a pinch-runner in the ninth inning and scored the winning run when Pittsburgh pitcher Bob Moose uncorked a wild pitch, thus giving the Reds the NL pennant.

Foster spent much of 1973 in the minor leagues with Class 3-A Indianapolis but played well in his September call-up.

Tolan struggled in 1973 and was traded. Foster, Ken Griffey Sr. and Merv Rettenmund rotated in right field with Griffey eventually winning the job.

But the turning point in Foster’s career and the Reds’ fortunes changed in 1975.

Manager Sparky Anderson shifted Pete Rose to third base with Foster and Dan Driessen sharing the left field vacancy. Foster ended up winning that job as he batted .300 with 23 home runs and 78 runs batted in during the 134 games he played.

And as he played, Foster only got better.

He started the 1975 All-Star Game and was named the game’s MVP. He ended the season hitting .306 with 29 home runs and a league-leading 121 RBI in 144 games.

He finished second in the league MVP voting behind teammate Joe Morgan.

For his career, Foster batted .274 with 348 home runs and 1,239 RBI. He led the league twice in home runs and three times in RBI and was voted the National League Most Valuable Player in 1977 when he batted .320 with 52 home runs — a Reds single-season record — and 149 RBI.

He just missed the Triple Crown as Pittsburgh’s Dave Parker won the batting title by a mere .018 percentage.

Foster and the Reds couldn’t reach a contract agreement after the 1981 season and he signed a five-year, $10 million contract with the New York Mets making him the second highest-paid player in baseball. Despite an ankle injury in 1979 that forced him to change his batting stance, Foster enjoyed some good seasons with the Mets who were struggling and in the midst of a rebuild.

The change from Cincinnati to New York was dramatic when it came to dealing with the media.

“They were relentless. They were on top of you all the time,” said Foster, who turned somber when tasing about those memories.

As anyone can see, Foster’s numbers were nothing to laugh about. But then how can you laugh when you are an opposing pitcher and you’re facing The Silent Assassin.

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Jim Walker is sports editor of The Ironton Tribune and Reds’ fan who visited George Foster’s meet-and-greet.