I'm Done With Ken Griffey Jr.

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I'm Done With Ken Griffey Jr.

Topic Author: John Mulvaney

Posted: 2:30 PM May 15, 2008

Replies Posted: 12 comments

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I'm Done With Ken Griffey Jr.

by John Mulvaney

In 1994 every baseball player from Little League to High School wanted that special pair of NIKE cleats. Each of those players were yelled at for mimicking the sweetest swing in baseball (you know that arrogant one-handed, watch the ball in flight, follow through). And everyone wanted to wear number 24.

I know because I was one of those kids. Fourteen years later, I'm officially done with Ken Griffey Jr.

Long gone are the NIKE commercials, spectacular catches in center field of the Kingdome and the swagger of the most effortless home run swing of the 90's. They have all been replaced by a shell, thinned and worn by age.

Make no mistake, Griffey is a sure fire first ballot Hall of Famer. His career numbers tell you that: 597 Home runs, 1720 RBI and a .289 career average. But it is time for the Cincinnati Reds to let go of one of the greatest players of this generation.

When the Reds acquired Griffey in 2000, there was still gas left in the tank and Junior was coming off a four-year average of more than 52 home runs a season. Great deal at the time. I was ready to run out and by a Griffey jersey and make a road trip to Cincinnati with my graduation money. Now, eight years later, I'm still waiting for the Reds to turn the corner. So is every other Cincinnati fan.

Monday, May 12th, I saw a microcosm of the problem with an aging Junior in one play. Facing the Marlins, the Reds had a three run lead in the bottom of the 8th inning and with two outs a routine fly-ball heads to right field. Griffey has long been the bane of little league coaches everywhere for never using two hands on a fly-ball in his 19-year career. So in his typical arrogant fashion, he calls off Brandon Phillips and hops (not needed) for the one handed catch. But of course the ball bounces off his glove, lands behind him and two runs score. On the very next play, he nearly did the same thing, but this time he caught the ball after it bounced out of his glove. And what do the Reds pay for this spectacular fielding? Right at $8,282,695 million in 2008.

I'm just done.

The 38-year-old's Hall of Fame presence in right field is keeping minor league player of the year Jay Bruce stuck in Louisville and the Reds stuck in last place.

It is time for the Reds to make a change. Send Griffey back to Seattle, who is reportedly interested, and rebuild around a group of young talent. And no, I don't think Adam Dunn is part of that future core either. The Reds are paying $13 million for his .207 average this year, but that is another blog for another time.

Posted by: unknown wow how could you not like griffey

Posted by: LJS As I read this article several things come to mind. First, this is obviously someone who has a very limited knowledge of the game of baseball. Two, this guy is a very bitter Reds fan who is placing the fact that the organization is a joke on Griffey. Three, this guy doesn't understand that though age has taken away the Griffey of the 90's, the man still has a huge bat that can contribute on a championship caliber club. Man, this guy is very ignorant indeed.

Posted by: Anonymous I would rather see Griffy Jr then I would like then a cheater like Bounds who is not the Home run King, but he's a jerk

Posted by: doug without griffy the reds are done! they just as well be called the BLACKS!

Posted by: Anonymous I just want to say that you couldn't be more wrong. If Ken Griffey, Jr. is what is wrong with baseball, then baseball is just god awful then. Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds, who are considered by many as the best players of our generation can't even find teams that will sign them because they are in so much trouble. And yes, while the way he played the game looked like he didn't even care, it was the complete opposite. Jr. was one of the hardest working players on the team and still is. You don't hit 600 home runs, win 10 gold gloves, and be considered one of the best to ever play the game on just talent alone. Talent helps, but you also have to put in alot of work. And to say that Jr. is what is wrong with the Reds is ridiculous. They have so many other problems(like hitting with runners in scoring position, etc..) Jr. definitely is not the player he once was, but what player is at 38. If you are going to blast someone, you should get the facts straight before you do it.

Posted by: Kyle Barry Bonds on steroids, Roger Clemmons having sex with a 15 year-old, Curt Schilling blasts everyone and their grandmother on a daily basis. Yeah, Ken Griffey, Jr. is a real problem child in the MLB because....he catches fly balls with one hand?

Posted by: J Griffey being old doesn't mean he doesn't know how to play right field. Of course he dropped one ball but please tell me atleast 10 players today that constantly catch the ball with 2 hands, seems that those young guys do it all the time. Don't blame the vet when the Reds are hurt at the SS position and with injuries.

Posted by: Anonymous did you forget the homerun king NAME

Posted by: Matt (the one that thinks Griffy is doing fine) Griffey keeping Bruce in the minors, eh? Check it out... Cincy is big enough for both of them.

Posted by: Phil get rid of Griffey and Dunn,they both blow

Posted by: Matt I'm with John on this one. Griffey often shows lack of effort/hustle and sets a bad example to the other players on team. I was a huge Griffey fan as well and have even defended his injuries and play with the Reds, but his time is up. Let him go back to the AL where he can DH. I appreciate him coming to Cincy but it just didn't work out.

Posted by: Matt Come on, John... Griffey went .277/30/93 LAST YEAR, and walked 85 times. Don't blame the kid because the Reds blow. He may be 38, but he's still one of the best ambassadors in the game. The smile and the kid-like enthusiasm is still there, not to mention the sweet swing. He doesn't shoot up, or shoot people. He's never been in trouble with the law. He just plays the game with that same youthful bounce he had 19 years ago. If you want to indict someone for the Reds woes (other than just admit they suck), go after Arroyo and his 6 ERA, or how about Fogg and his 9? How about Dunn, with more K's than H's (I know... you already got that one)? Point being... the Kid isn't to blame. At least he plays the game. Hey.. that almost rhymes.