Schott Hears Cheers Before, After Reds Win : Baseball: Cincinnati fans show their support for suspended owner. Rijo pitches eight shutout innings and beats Expos.

Marge Schott, owner of the Reds, was treated like a queen on opening day at Riverfront Stadium, where pitcher Jose Rijo pitched eight shutout innings during Cincinnati’s 2-1 victory over the Montreal Expos.

But it was Schott, who was suspended for a year for racial and ethnic slurs during the off-season, who nearly stole the show.

During the pregame parade, fans called out “We love you, Marge!” The sentiment was also expressed on many of the parade floats.

One fan unfurled a banner that read “Marge of Arc,” which a security guard removed, but not until shortly before the third inning.

In a videotaped message played on the scoreboard before the game, Schott, wearing one of the Reds’ new home uniforms, told fans, “I love you. I miss you.” The statement was met by cheers.

Schott was barred under terms of the suspension from her usual field-level seat, which was decorated with black ribbons and a floral wreath, so she watched from a private box.

“I just can’t believe the people,” she said. “They’ve been wonderful. This is what it’s all about--the people. The people know.”

Adriane Redmond of Cincinnati asked Schott to sign her diary. Redmond said she didn’t approve of Schott’s use of slurs, but forgave her.

“Everyone can have their downfall. That doesn’t mean we can’t support them,” said Redmond, who is black.

Rijo was nearly unhittable, giving up four singles and a triple in Tony Perez’s managerial debut for the Reds.

Rijo only wished Schott could have been in her regular seat to watch it.

“That made me a little sad,” Rijo said. “She’s the owner, and she deserved to be here. I wish she could have been here.”