Ken Griffey Jr. looked sharp in his black suit before the Baseball America awards banquet this afternoon. He held court for a while, talking about various topics including how stunned he was to receive the award from BA.

 

The local media's biggest questions revolved around a potential move to a corner outfield position, and he didn't object to answering them. First and foremost, the Reds have approached Griffey's agent, Brian Goldberg, and asked Griffey to at least keep consider the possibility. Goldberg said Griffey definitely will.

 

"They just talked to us about being open-minded in spring training, kind of see how he’s moving and see how he feels," said Goldberg. "He’s preparing to play center field, but based on how things go in spring training, he’ll be open-minded."

 

Griffey has said before that he doesn't believe the difference in wear and tear on his body would be that great if he moved to a corner position, and he reiterated that today.

 

"It’s going to be the same either way," he said. "I’ve got to prepare myself to go out there and play 162 games."

 

Would he make the move if the Reds came to him and said it would be the best thing for the team?

 

"We’ll cross that bridge when we cross it," he said. "Right now, it’s a matter of me going out there and playing center for this team and not worrying about speculation and what people think. I’m going to go out there and prepare to play."

 

http://frontier.cincinnati.com/blogs/spring/2006/12/junior-doesnt-dismiss-move-to-right.asp#links

I hope it comes down to him having to make a decision. I like hearing that more than him not even answering the questions.

I've always liked Griffey but players need to play, where the Coaches and Management put them....If its being discussed this winter and he's asked to play Right or Left, than he should prepare himself this winter and spring, for any of the possibilities,

How sweet it was for Griffey to consider the move to right:rolleyes: . This is the kind of attitude that I dislike from some players. He and others should play the position that the coach wants them in. I really dislike the I am bigger than the game attitude and I can or will only play a certain position. I hope he doesn't take that kind of approach to what could be another good season for the Reds,( if they can find another starter to go with the two good ones they have). Griffey has been a great player so I hope he finishes on a positive note.

I just hope that "hurt toe" that caused him to miss the FREAKING PENNANT RACE is all better by April. I am so done with him...

It says a lot when the team has to go through the agent and ASK a player to consider a change that might help the team.

Griffey and 162 games in the same sentence? That humors me.

The funny thing is he could go out there right now and be one of the best CF in the MLB. I dont think people realize it but Griffey knows if he can make a play or not. People see him slow down after a hit ball and they call him a slacker. Griffey is so good he knows if he can get there or not. So why risk diving for a ball if your not going to catch it, and get hurt.

If he thinks he can still play CF let the man play there.

How many years are left on his contract?

The funny thing is he could go out there right now and be one of the best CF in the MLB. I dont think people realize it but Griffey knows if he can make a play or not. People see him slow down after a hit ball and they call him a slacker. Griffey is so good he knows if he can get there or not. So why risk diving for a ball if your not going to catch it, and get hurt.

If he thinks he can still play CF let the man play there.

I disagree with your assessment. Jr. has lost more than one step due to age and his laundry list of injuries. Nothing against the man as he was the premier player in the MLB for many years, but his day has passed. I truly hope that he is not a Red this coming season as his salary and his persistence to play CF hurt the club enormously. IMO

The funny thing is he could go out there right now and be one of the best CF in the MLB. I dont think people realize it but Griffey knows if he can make a play or not. People see him slow down after a hit ball and they call him a slacker. Griffey is so good he knows if he can get there or not. So why risk diving for a ball if your not going to catch it, and get hurt.

If he thinks he can still play CF let the man play there.

Stardate: 1999

Griffey and 162 games in the same sentence? That humors me.

That reminds me of a joke about a guy going to a 7/11 and the door was locked, he knocks on the door and a teenager comes to the door and opens it a bit and says "Can I help you?" the guy responds, "The sign says 'open 24hrs'", and the kid replies " Dude, not in a row!" So, with that logic, Jr. was obviously talking about 162 games divided by 2 seasons!:thumb:

While Jr. took a lot of heat for it this summer, but this is honestly, the best way to handle it instead of the middle of a pennant race.

 

Also, those who decry talking to JR in doing this absolutely crack me up. How many of the same people would work for their employee for 6-12 years doing the same job each and every day and would GLADLY accept the boss coming in and saying, hey Bob, tomorrow, you are doing this job instead of the job that you have been doing for the past 12 years and you believe you are doing a good job at.

 

I am sure all of you who are ripping JR and being offended talking to him about the move, would look your boss deeply in his eyes and say, "Yes sir" and be happy about it.

While Jr. took a lot of heat for it this summer, but this is honestly, the best way to handle it instead of the middle of a pennant race.

 

Also, those who decry talking to JR in doing this absolutely crack me up. How many of the same people would work for their employee for 6-12 years doing the same job each and every day and would GLADLY accept the boss coming in and saying, hey Bob, tomorrow, you are doing this job instead of the job that you have been doing for the past 12 years and you believe you are doing a good job at.

 

I am sure all of you who are ripping JR and being offended talking to him about the move, would look your boss deeply in his eyes and say, "Yes sir" and be happy about it.

Poor argument, IMO. Hey Bob, we're gonna move you over here at your same salary of 15million dollars, doing virtually the same thing only from another spot that hopefully will make it easier on you and since we know you are very near retirement, we are gonna have to have someone to fill your shoes when you retire, and with you right beside him we think the transition will do everyone involved good.

 

C'mon LBBC, they're still gonna hit him 3rd!, which is why he's the HOF'er in the first place. The gold gloves only enhance the resume' and he ain't that "kid" anymore.

Poor argument, IMO. Hey Bob, we're gonna move you over here at your same salary of 15million dollars, doing virtually the same thing only from another spot that hopefully will make it easier on you and since we know you are very near retirement, we are gonna have to have someone to fill your shoes when you retire, and with you right beside him we think the transition will do everyone involved good.

 

C'mon LBBC, they're still gonna hit him 3rd!, which is why he's the HOF'er in the first place. The gold gloves only enhance the resume' and he ain't that "kid" anymore.

My point is that people are expressing the belief that Jerry should casually call him in his office and TELL JR. this is what you are going to do. We would rip our bosses if we were treated that same way. And yet, we expect them to treat JR that way.

 

No in our lives, we would EXPECT to be treated with some respect because of our long service to the company.

 

$$$ does not translate into respect.