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Ken Griffey Jr. (MLB HOF)

EDDIE GGGG27;1406752; said:
Looks like Jr is goin back to Seattle. Dont see him doin much at Safeco.

I sure hope this is his last year, I love the guy, but I think it's time to hang it all up. It's a shame he got hurt so much, I think he had a chance to break the HR record, and he's pretty much the only one that I wouldn't have a problem with doing it.
 
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So we all probably know Griffey is on the trading block and word was he was leaning to Seattle a few days ago. Over the past few days the Braves have made an offer. Word is Griffey called Chipper Jones to let Frank Wren (Braves GM) know he was interested. The offers from both teams are about equal and it seems like Griffey would fill the hole in LF for the Braves; splitting time with Matt Diaz. Griffey talked to Wren yesterday at the Disney complex and has always wanted to play under Bobby Cox. Other things such as Atlanta's location to Orlando compared to Florida and the Braves organization seem to give them an advantage, but Seattle was a huge part of his career. He's supposed to make a decision today. Here's a link to a story on the Braves page. Griffey likely to decide by today | braves.com: News

As a huge Griffey fan growing up, I would love to see him come to Atlanta. Dude is 39 and this is a great town to end your career in, although Smoltz decided against it. Anyway, it would temporarily patch the Braves aforementioned hole in left, and can help the line-up that needs some support. Jr had the best swing in baseball, and had injuries, but has shown imporvement over the past few seasons; splitting time would help in keeping him fresh too. I look forward to his decision regardless, dude is one hell of a player.
 
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I'm obviously biased because I'm a big Braves fan - but we'd be really excited to have Junior on the team.
The reasons are many - but here's a quick summary.


1. We'd love to have him play 4 outta 5 days in left or rotate in center on odd days and he clearly has the ability to hit for a solid average. His eye hasn't changed and he doesn't swing at terrible pitches.

2. Atlanta has a large African American population and having him on the team might be a way to get the game some exposure in more urban areas.

3. There really hasn't been a drop off to his defensive skills, although his range is center is somewhat depleted.

4. The Braves have an outstanding farm system and Bobby Cox would like to have him and Chipper around some of the younger guys.
 
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So the AJC "inaccurately" reported that Griffey had chosen the Braves over Seattle. Junior says he's still talking about it with his family, he's never been a free agent before and it's nerve racking. Wren will speak with Jr's agent this evening and a decision should come later today or early tomorrow.

From a location outlook Jr would be far better off signing with Atlanta. 1 hour flight to his home in Orlando where his girl will be playing basketball, approximately 20 min from his house to the Braves Spring Training complex, it would just be more flexible for him in Atlanta going to Florida than Seattle.

As said I hope he chooses Atlanta, I got a feeling he will. It makes alot of sense besides him starting his career in Seattle. We'll see what developments occur over the next few days.
 
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Reports are now that Griffey is going back to Seattle. :( Can't say I blame him, but I really wanted him to come to Atlanta; I thought it was going to happen, it made alot of sense.

The bigger issue here is the Braves front office and not being able to bring in, or keep, any big names recently. Signed Texeira for about half a season and now he's gone. Signed one Japanese pitcher, but lost the face of your franchise in Smoltz can't bring in any big free agents. :shake: I'll be surprised if they actually sign Glavine after this off season. Ugh. Frank Wren needs to figure some things out.

Good luck Griffey, congratulations to you and your family.
 
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I think Seattle was the best fit, baseball wise for him. They need someone to play first base and he could also DH. Which would help keep him fresh and not have to risk more leg injuries by running around in the outfield.

Atlanta might have been a better fit family wise. Although he probably won't play more than a few more more years

Regardless, I hope he does well wherever he ends up. He has been one of my favorite baseball players since I was little, leg injuries or not. I grew up wanting to play CF and everyone made fun of me for not liking a Cardinals player(McGwire). He's probably got the easiest/smoothest HR hitting swing EVER in baseball. I hope he goes out on a good note in Seattle and doesn't have to let injuries make him retire!
 
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Report: Ken Griffey Jr. of Seattle Mariners slept through pinch hitting opportunity - ESPN

Report: Griffey slept in clubhouse

Though he may be 40 years old now, sometimes "The Kid" needs to sleep.

Seattle Mariners star Ken Griffey Jr. missed a chance to enter an unspecified game last week as a pinch hitter because he was asleep in the clubhouse, according to a report from the Tacoma News Tribune.

When pressed following the game as to why he had not used the left-handed slugger as a pinch hitter, Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu was evasive.

But according to two unnamed younger Seattle players who are both fond of Griffey, the future Hall of Famer had fallen asleep.

Contd....
 
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Seattle Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu denies report that Ken Griffey Jr. was sleeping in clubhouse - ESPN
Griffey says he was available

BALTIMORE -- Ken Griffey Jr. insisted Tuesday he was available to pinch-hit during a recent Seattle Mariners game, in spite of a report that he was taking a nap.

Quoting two Mariners who spoke anonymously, The (Tacoma) News Tribune wrote that Griffey was asleep in the clubhouse during Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Angels,
leaving manager Don Wakamatsu scrambling to get someone else to hit.

"I'm available all the time," Griffey said. "There are some issues that are not true in that situation.

"I can't win this and I'm not trying to. There are some things that are not accurate. I'll leave it at that," he said.

Contd...
 
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"I can't win this and I'm not trying to. There are some things that are not accurate. I'll leave it at that," he said.

Translation: "I was asleep. I had the day off. If I was really needed to pinch hit that badly, somebody could have run up the runway to the clubhouse and woke me up. But seeing as it's the second week of May and we're already dead last in the West and have the worst offense in the entire league, I figured I'd take the night off and nap. This shit happens in the majors all the time. If you don't like it, then blow me."
 
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