JUPITER, Fla. — Way back during the Junior Spivey era of Cardinals second basemen, the Cleveland Indians passed a big-hype, big-frustration prospect through waivers. Every other team had a crack at landing this infielder who once showed up at spring training with personalized batting gloves that read, “The Franchise.” The St. Louis Cardinals, governed by general manager Walt Jocketty, and scrambling for an alternative when the Spivey signing whiffed, were one of 28 teams who passed.

One did not.

Wayne Krivsky and the Cincinnati Reds took a chance, worked out a deal that cost them only a minor-leaguer to be named later and landed Brandon Phillips. Nearly three years later, Phillips is a cornerstone of a franchise on the make, reshaped and improved recently by … well, Jocketty. Since that April 2006 deal that sent him to the Reds, Phillips has had a 30-home run season, a 90-RBI season, a 100-run season and, in 2008, won a Gold Glove at second base. Next stop: Perhaps an All-Star invitation.

And how many of those 28 teams that passed were looking for a second baseman this winter? Right. Talk about a regret. A few days ago in Clearwater, Fla., before a game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Phillips took some time to field the questions that make up The PD-Q.

***

Advice you received from a parent that stays with you is …

Don’t ever let the Devil steal your joy.

A memorable Christmas or holiday gift you received is …

Nintendo. The first Nintendo.

The word or phrase you use too often is …

“Be realistic.”

Favorite superhero?

He-Man.

Best baseball movie?

“Sandlot”

Your greatest achievement?

Gold Glove.

Your current State of mind?

Cool.

Your greatest extravagance or indulgence is …

A car. Buying a new car.

Favorite ballplayer growing up?

Barry Larkin

First car?

A Honda Passport.

Current car?

Just name one of them? OK, the Bentley.

A place you’ve got to visit before you die is …

Wow, why’d you got to put it that way? Before I “die”? Wow. I want to go to South Africa.

Who would be in your Fave Five?

My parents, Oprah, President Obama and Michael Jordan.

Most embarrassing song on your iPod?

Kelly Clarkson, “Since You’ve Been Gone”

Movie you’ll always stop to watch whenever it comes on is …

I’m just going to make up a new movie. Some different movie. How about … “The Devil Wears Prada.” Man, that is a catchy movie. No, I’m going to say, “Sweet Home Alabama.” “Sweet Home Alabama”, yeah, that’s the one.

Sing in the shower or in the car?

Both.

A treasured possession?

My Bible.

You know you’re in the minors when …

You’ve got to clean your own shoes.

I tune out when people talk about …

Teammates. You know, in ways I don’t need to hear.

Your greatest fear?

My greatest fear is not being able to make myself better, performance-wise in baseball. I always want to be better.

***

Previous P-DQ: Adam Wainwright … CC Sabathia … Skip Schumaker … David Wright … Brian Barton … Ryan Ludwick. … Ryan Franklin. … Brad Lidge … Chris Carpenter.

-30-