Class act Griffey Jr. - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

pan6467 · 10-13-2005, 01:21 AM

I'll admit before he came to Cincy, being a diehard Indians fan and Lofton fan, I thought Jr. was overrated and wasn't a big fan of his. Although his swing......... it was sheer poetry in motion and the best natural swing I may ever see in baseball.

But once he gave up more money to become a RED, I found an appreciation for JR. I found that if Larkin could tell fans JR. was a standup great guy, that he must be, because Barry Larkin, much like Pete Rose before him WAS the team and the hometown boy made great.

So I watched as JR struggled and I felt the pain and agony of his injuries, never once complaining because I knew this was truly one of the greatest ever and in his prime when he could have made more money than any other player in history, he chose to play for the REDS.

So this season he comes back and shows why he is the greatest in baseball today, and the humility and stand up type of guy that deserves respect. And in a day and age where seemingly great players all find steroid allgations or negative press somehow, other than the injuries JR. has never once had anyone say anything bad about him or accuse him of 'roids.

I tip my hat to JR. and thank him for being a RED and bringing pride to Cincy's team.

NOTE: The highlighted portions I emphasized, I also edited out the Giambi references to his winning the AL.... as in my opinion Giambi isn't worth being JR.'s Jockstrap washer let alone comeback player.

Quote:

Griffey would have quit if he wasn't elite

By JOE KAY, AP Sports Writer
October 6, 2005
CINCINNATI (AP) -- Ken Griffey Jr. would have retired this year if a hamstring injury had left him less than elite.

The Cincinnati Reds' outfielder said Thursday that he wasn't sure he'd be able to play baseball at a high level after his major hamstring surgery in August 2004. Griffey tore his right hamstring from the bone and had it reattached with three screws -- an uncommon operation for an athlete.

The 35-year-old Griffey proved he's still one of the best when he's healthy, batting .301 with 35 homers and 92 RBIs this season. His return from four years of serious injuries earned him the NL's comeback player of the year award Thursday in an online vote sponsored by baseball.

``I didn't really think about trying to prove to anybody that I could still play this game,'' Griffey said. ``It was more or less proving to myself that I could still go out and compete at a high level and help the team win.

``I felt if I couldn't do that I would just go home and not waste anybody's time. That's one of the things about me -- I'm not going to waste anybody's time and go out there and just collect a check. That will never be me.''

Since he came to his hometown team in a 2000 trade with Seattle, Griffey has been repeatedly sidelined by career-threatening injuries -- a torn hamstring, a torn knee tendon, a dislocated shoulder, torn tissue in his ankle and the severe hamstring injury last season.

Few athletes have torn the muscle off the bone the way he did, and returned strong enough to keep playing. Griffey acknowledged Thursday that he didn't know if he'd be able to beat the odds with that one.

``There's always a doubt,'' he said. ``You don't know if the surgery is going to take. Once I was able to start doing baseball activities, I knew from there it wasn't going to be too long to get back into game shape.''

Griffey wasn't fully recovered when spring training began, and didn't hit his first homer until April 30, the slowest start of his career. Once he figured out what he could do with the repaired hamstring, the comeback began.

``It took me probably until the middle of May to start feeling comfortable,'' he said. ``Offensively, I didn't have any problems. Defense worried me more than offense. I could drive in runs, I just didn't want to give any up.

``Once I got over the fear of that -- 'this is going to be OK' -- everything started to work.''

Griffey strained his right foot while running the bases on Sept. 4 and sat out the rest of the season as a precaution. He had minor surgery to clean out a knee that has bothered him occasionally over the last few years.

``The knee is fine,'' said Griffey, who has three years left on his contract. ``After having the operation, I walked out and got in a car. I gave the crutches back after two days. This is a minor thing.''

The All-Century outfielder thanked fans for choosing him for his latest honor.

``It's not one that you want to have, as far as the things you've had to go through to get it,'' he said, referring to the injuries. ``But I will cherish it forever.''

LINK:http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slu...v=ap&type=lgns

AVoiceOfReason · 10-13-2005, 09:32 AM

Wow, between April 30 and Sept. 4, he hit 35 homers. Sounds like for four months there, he put up numbers we associate with Griffey. I agree that he seems like a class act all the way, and if it's any different, I'm not sure I want to know it! LOL

Elphaba · 10-13-2005, 12:16 PM

Pan, no offense, but Seattle is *really* glad you have him.

djtestudo · 10-13-2005, 12:22 PM

He always came off as aloof, but that doesn't show anything about his actual attitude.

I hope he recovers, because he might end up being the best baseball player of my lifetime. Fuck Alex Rodriguez.

pan6467 · 10-13-2005, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elphaba

Pan, no offense, but Seattle is *really* glad you have him.

It's funny you should say that, for years Seattle bragged about JR. then the season he was going to be a FA he gets quoted as saying, "I'm not a team leader" and Seattle starts ripping him. They did the same with Johnson. A-Rod only had to accept that 1/2 BILLION DOLLAR contract to prove what an ass he is.

And I'm 100% sure if at the time Seattle had had a chance to resign JR they wouldn't have said anything and the glowing press would have been brighter than ever.

I'm sorry I don't get into the bad press in a players contract year. Plus, JR was younger and probably full of himself being treated as the "Greatest ever" at the time, deservedly or not.

Cleveland ripped Thome (a very legit nice guy) and Manny (eccentric, doesn't know the value of money and is another pure talent guy) and even Omar in their last years (and it's a stretch to rip a classy person such as Omar.)

Ripping is a teams way of trying to make excuses for letting the player go for more money than they can afford. I think teams tried to be glowing of players but it always helped the player get more money elsewhere, so now rip them unless you are 100% sure they will come back.

The fact he took less money and REFUSED to negotiate with anyone else but CINCY, proved to me he was true to himself.

JR has natural talent, probably more so than any other player in our lifetime, and as such as a kid in Seattle he probably didn't have to work out as hard and got away with "star" things, but the injuries and age and having been with Barry Larkin probably taught him a few things and humbled him.

Bobaphat · 10-13-2005, 01:31 PM

I disagree completely with this statement. It may have been the case when he left us, but I know a fair share of Seattlites would love to see the Kid back in certerfield at Safeco field. I sure would.

AVoiceOfReason · 10-13-2005, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pan6467

A-Rod only had to accept that 1/2 BILLION DOLLAR contract to prove what an ass he is.

First, it's a 1/4 Billion (25M per year for 10 years=250,000,000) and second, how does accepting such make someone an ass?

djtestudo · 10-13-2005, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AVoiceOfReason

First, it's a 1/4 Billion (25M per year for 10 years=250,000,000) and second, how does accepting such make someone an ass?

I THINK his point was that in the minds of Seattle fans, that is the reason they think of him that way.

As opposed to everyone else, who found out in different ways

Elphaba · 10-13-2005, 02:45 PM

Quote:

It's funny you should say that, for years Seattle bragged about JR. then the season he was going to be a FA he gets quoted as saying, "I'm not a team leader" and Seattle starts ripping him. They did the same with Johnson. A-Rod only had to accept that 1/2 BILLION DOLLAR contract to prove what an ass he is.

And I'm 100% sure if at the time Seattle had had a chance to resign JR they wouldn't have said anything and the glowing press would have been brighter than ever.

I'm sorry I don't get into the bad press in a players contract year. Plus, JR was younger and probably full of himself being treated as the "Greatest ever" at the time, deservedly or not.

Pan and Bobaphat, I had better explain myself just in case you know where I live.

The only reason the Mariner's got jr. in his rookie year was because of their miserable standing in the league. Jr. revived baseball in Seattle, and personally I give him all the credit for Safeco Field. He was absolutely worshipped here, and for good reason. What made him so genuine to me was his insistance that his family would always come first which he proved when he returned home to play.

My "big smilie" bit of snarkiness was 1) the Mariner's would never have been able to afford a talent like that even if he did want to stay, and 2) his numerous injuries since he left Seattle have kept him out of play for long periods of time. Keeping Jr. would probably have bankrupted the franchise. That's why I said I was glad that he was there and not here.

Am I back in good graces again?

Note to self: Never piss off a serious baseball fan, even in jest

pan6467 · 10-13-2005, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elphaba

Pan and Bobaphat, I had better explain myself just in case you know where I live.

The only reason the Mariner's got jr. in his rookie year was because of their miserable standing in the league. Jr. revived baseball in Seattle, and personally I give him all the credit for Safeco Field. He was absolutely worshipped here, and for good reason. What made him so genuine to me was his insistance that his family would always come first which he proved when he returned home to play.

My "big smilie" bit of snarkiness was 1) the Mariner's would never have been able to afford a talent like that even if he did want to stay, and 2) his numerous injuries since he left Seattle have kept him out of play for long periods of time. Keeping Jr. would probably have bankrupted the franchise. That's why I said I was glad that he was there and not here.

Am I back in good graces again?

Note to self: Never piss off a serious baseball fan, even in jest

You are always in my good graces.

And good points. Same points as we Clevelanders could have about Thome.

pan6467 · 10-13-2005, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AVoiceOfReason

First, it's a 1/4 Billion (25M per year for 10 years=250,000,000) and second, how does accepting such make someone an ass?

You're right sorry.

DJ is partially right. What showed me about A-Rod was taking the money and knowing the team would have little left and wouldn't compete during his 10 years there because of his contract.

That shows me a player putting himself over wanting to play for a winning team.

I'm sorry, A-Rod plays for A-Rod and that is why he will never have a World Series ring.

Elphaba · 10-13-2005, 05:16 PM

Elph stands on her fingers to keep from typing what she thinks of A-Rod in comparison to Jr.

tspikes51 · 10-13-2005, 09:07 PM

All of us at the tspikes household were ecstatic when Jr. signed with the Reds. We thought he could be a replacement for Larkin. However, his injuries made me angry with him, but this season showed that he could still play the game. I hope he stays healthy for a long time.

skinnymofo · 10-14-2005, 07:43 AM

if jr came back to seattle, which he isnt i would probably actually start going to mariners games again instead of asking how bad theyve been losing once every 2 weeks.
thats not to say he would turn the team around, but atleast it would give some entertainment

Glory's Sun · 10-14-2005, 08:25 AM

Griffey Jr. has always been one of my favorite players. Sure I ridiculed him for his propensity to get injured.. but he still has the purest swing I've ever seen.

alansmithee · 10-14-2005, 10:27 PM

I'll echo what others said about his swing-always seemed really easy and natural. And I've always been a Griffey Jr. fan. It was too bad that things turned out the way they did in Cincy. He deserved better than the series of injuries he's had there.

One thing I do wonder is what he must think of A-Rod. I mean, Junior takes less money to be in his hometown (and when his deal signed it was ridiculously below market value) and sees his career basically tank due to injuries. But Pay-Rod basically takes a huge contract that ensures that he will never win anything in one city, and then is bailed out of there by the Yankees (which is the only team that could realistically afford his deal and still compete). I know if it were me, I'd be sticking pins in A-Rod voodoo dolls almost constantly.

pan6467 · 10-14-2005, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alansmithee

I'll echo what others said about his swing-always seemed really easy and natural. And I've always been a Griffey Jr. fan. It was too bad that things turned out the way they did in Cincy. He deserved better than the series of injuries he's had there.

One thing I do wonder is what he must think of A-Rod. I mean, Junior takes less money to be in his hometown (and when his deal signed it was ridiculously below market value) and sees his career basically tank due to injuries. But Pay-Rod basically takes a huge contract that ensures that he will never win anything in one city, and then is bailed out of there by the Yankees (which is the only team that could realistically afford his deal and still compete). I know if it were me, I'd be sticking pins in A-Rod voodoo dolls almost constantly.

One went for money, one stayed true to himself.

The one who went for money WILL never have the true feeling of winning a WS ring (his team may win one but the true value of winning it, he'll never experience, greed rules his life and greed will destroy him eventually).

The one who stayed true to himself, something deep inside me says before he retires, the REDS WILL win him that ring.

AVoiceOfReason · 10-15-2005, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pan6467

One went for money, one stayed true to himself.

The one who went for money WILL never have the true feeling of winning a WS ring (his team may win one but the true value of winning it, he'll never experience, greed rules his life and greed will destroy him eventually).

I'm not interested enough in this stuff to keep up with it, but does A-Rod have a reputation among his teammates with the Yankees as being in it all for himself? He moved to 3rd base without any fuss, even though he's probably a better shortstop than Jeter. A-Rod performs in the field and at the plate better than anyone on that team. I'm just curious if the guys that play with him have the same feeling that he's not a team guy.

As for greed ruling him, we could say the same about just about any player that switches teams. Glavine and Maddox were a part of something special in the Braves rotation, but they left for a bigger contract than they were going to get with Atlanta. Did they NEED more money? That's not my place to say, since what someone else makes is none of my business--that's between them and the one that signs the check.

pan6467 · 10-15-2005, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AVoiceOfReason

I'm not interested enough in this stuff to keep up with it, but does A-Rod have a reputation among his teammates with the Yankees as being in it all for himself? He moved to 3rd base without any fuss, even though he's probably a better shortstop than Jeter. A-Rod performs in the field and at the plate better than anyone on that team. I'm just curious if the guys that play with him have the same feeling that he's not a team guy.

As for greed ruling him, we could say the same about just about any player that switches teams. Glavine and Maddox were a part of something special in the Braves rotation, but they left for a bigger contract than they were going to get with Atlanta. Did they NEED more money? That's not my place to say, since what someone else makes is none of my business--that's between them and the one that signs the check.

For $25 Million a year, A-Rod I"m sure would play 3rd and not raise a stink.

Perhaps, in the clubhouse he's the model player, but I'm sorry anyone going to a team and accepting a contract they KNOW will hinder the team from truly ever winning (while he is there), tells me that he put his greed above the team and above winning.

Meanwhile, JR I believe (and I maybe wrong) has in the past restructured his contract so that players like Casey, Dunn and at the time Graves could stay in Cincy. Why? Because JR knows he can't do it alone.

As for Maddox and Glavine, Maddox and Glavine weren't resigned because the team felt they were getting too old and wanted longer contracts than the pitching rich Braves wanted to give out to those 2 (and it appears they were right in doing so).

There are many reasons players go the Free Agency route and sign with other teams, not always is it about the money.

Blackthorn · 10-16-2005, 11:50 AM

I will still spit on Oby's shoes if he trades Jr. Spend the extra Jr. gate $ on additional pitching. The man draws a crowd to see an otherwise useless endeavor. Useless except that organizations that have figured out how to win still need a doormat to step on year after year.

pan6467 · 10-17-2005, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackthorn

I will still spit on Oby's shoes if he trades Jr. Spend the extra Jr. gate $ on additional pitching. The man draws a crowd to see an otherwise useless endeavor. Useless except that organizations that have figured out how to win still need a doormat to step on year after year.

They aren't that bad, they truly need pitching, signing Milton was not very smart, but they truly tried. Randa was a tremendous signing, unfortunately, they traded him away.

But if you look at the second half, the team was coming on strong. I think this offseason get Lindner to open his wallet and grab some pitching and keep Dunn, Kearns and Casey and this team could be elite.

There's no doubt in my mind JR ain't going anywhere, he makes the REDS too much money, and the fan revolt would be too destructive and it would take years for ownership to rebuild any respect with the fans.

Blackthorn · 10-17-2005, 06:49 PM

Oh my gawd they are that bad! What team have you been watching? 10 years+ and the Reds are well on their way to becoming the new (old) Bengals. They are terrible! They hit a heck of a lot of homers but in almost every other facet of the game they suck canal water. The can't field with crap, they struggle to run the bases, situational hitting goes out the window and for craps sake ... that doesn't begin to address their HO-rendous pitching. Milton was one bad choice. What about Ortiz? What happened to the thrill a minute man.... Graves? Jeeeze oh come on... the Reds are an also ran routinely out of it by the all-star break.

< edit >

Jr. needs to stay....

Or I've got a loogey for Oby's shoes.

10-13-2005, 09:32 AM	#2 (permalink)
AVoiceOfReason Psycho Location: Greenwood, Arkansas	Wow, between April 30 and Sept. 4, he hit 35 homers. Sounds like for four months there, he put up numbers we associate with Griffey. I agree that he seems like a class act all the way, and if it's any different, I'm not sure I want to know it! LOL __________________ AVOR A Voice Of Reason, not necessarily the ONLY one.

10-13-2005, 12:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
djtestudo Baltimoron Location: Beeeeeautiful Bel Air, MD	He always came off as aloof, but that doesn't show anything about his actual attitude. I hope he recovers, because he might end up being the best baseball player of my lifetime. Fuck Alex Rodriguez. __________________ "Final thought: I just rented Michael Moore's Bowling for Columbine. Frankly, it was the worst sports movie I've ever seen." --Peter Schmuck, The (Baltimore) Sun

10-13-2005, 01:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
Bobaphat whoopity doo Location: Seattle	I disagree completely with this statement. It may have been the case when he left us, but I know a fair share of Seattlites would love to see the Kid back in certerfield at Safeco field. I sure would. __________________ --size matters not-- yoda

10-13-2005, 09:07 PM	#13 (permalink)
tspikes51 Fuckin' A Location: Lex Vegas	All of us at the tspikes household were ecstatic when Jr. signed with the Reds. We thought he could be a replacement for Larkin. However, his injuries made me angry with him, but this season showed that he could still play the game. I hope he stays healthy for a long time. __________________ "I'm telling you, we need to get rid of a few people or a million." -Maddox

10-16-2005, 11:50 AM	#20 (permalink)
Blackthorn Beware the Mad Irish Location: Wish I was on the N17...	I will still spit on Oby's shoes if he trades Jr. Spend the extra Jr. gate $ on additional pitching. The man draws a crowd to see an otherwise useless endeavor. Useless except that organizations that have figured out how to win still need a doormat to step on year after year. __________________ What are you willing to give up in order to get what you want?

10-13-2005, 12:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
Elphaba Deja Moo Location: Olympic Peninsula, WA	Pan, no offense, but Seattle is really glad you have him.

10-13-2005, 05:16 PM	#12 (permalink)
Elphaba Deja Moo Location: Olympic Peninsula, WA	Elph stands on her fingers to keep from typing what she thinks of A-Rod in comparison to Jr.

10-14-2005, 07:43 AM	#14 (permalink)
skinnymofo Addict ed to smack Location: Seattle	if jr came back to seattle, which he isnt i would probably actually start going to mariners games again instead of asking how bad theyve been losing once every 2 weeks. thats not to say he would turn the team around, but atleast it would give some entertainment

10-14-2005, 08:25 AM	#15 (permalink)
Glory's Sun Registered User	Griffey Jr. has always been one of my favorite players. Sure I ridiculed him for his propensity to get injured.. but he still has the purest swing I've ever seen.

10-14-2005, 10:27 PM	#16 (permalink)
alansmithee Junkie	I'll echo what others said about his swing-always seemed really easy and natural. And I've always been a Griffey Jr. fan. It was too bad that things turned out the way they did in Cincy. He deserved better than the series of injuries he's had there. One thing I do wonder is what he must think of A-Rod. I mean, Junior takes less money to be in his hometown (and when his deal signed it was ridiculously below market value) and sees his career basically tank due to injuries. But Pay-Rod basically takes a huge contract that ensures that he will never win anything in one city, and then is bailed out of there by the Yankees (which is the only team that could realistically afford his deal and still compete). I know if it were me, I'd be sticking pins in A-Rod voodoo dolls almost constantly.

10-17-2005, 06:49 PM	#22 (permalink)
Blackthorn Beware the Mad Irish Location: Wish I was on the N17...	Oh my gawd they are that bad! What team have you been watching? 10 years+ and the Reds are well on their way to becoming the new (old) Bengals. They are terrible! They hit a heck of a lot of homers but in almost every other facet of the game they suck canal water. The can't field with crap, they struggle to run the bases, situational hitting goes out the window and for craps sake ... that doesn't begin to address their HO-rendous pitching. Milton was one bad choice. What about Ortiz? What happened to the thrill a minute man.... Graves? Jeeeze oh come on... the Reds are an also ran routinely out of it by the all-star break. < edit > Jr. needs to stay.... Or I've got a loogey for Oby's shoes. __________________ What are you willing to give up in order to get what you want?