Griffey at the All-Star Game

by greg456 on Jul 7, 2007 11:03 AM EDT Comment 26 comments

I was so excited when I was in college and the Reds traded for Griffey (although I never did understand the fixation for Pokey and the lack of it for Cameron).

Then, when he started playing, it felt like such a let-down. His difficulties with the media made him less likable to me, fair or not. His constant injuries made me feel like he wasn't quite the gamer I thought he should be (again, fair or not). And it's always felt like he doesn't love playing in Cincinnati as much as a die-hard Reds fan wants him to.

But something's happened this year for me. And really it's just been in the last few weeks. I think it has a lot to do with seeing Bonds get within striking distance of the record, while seeing Griffey climb the charts as a Red. But I've got both feet on the Griffey wagon now, after several years of relative disdain for the guy.

I'm incredibly excited that Junior is starting the All-Star game. I haven't looked forward to a "mid-summer classic" (right...) like this in a long time--since the Larkin days (which were far too few b/c of Ozzie F---ing Smith).

All this babbling to get to my main point: It's a shame that the game is in San Francisco. Anywhere else, Griffey would be the story. He would get a two-minute ovation while Bonds would get a two-minute standing boo, or at the least a very mixed reaction. And I think that would be proper and reflective of the thoughts of the baseball world at this point. As it stands, Bonds will get the massive ovation, and Griffey will get a nice cheer as well. But Junior deserves to be the story, because he is symbolic of what is RIGHT about this game, and most of the baseball world knows it.

THE END

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Griffey Wagon

Welcome aboard. : )

I think he may get a good ovation anyway, but I think you're probably right--its too bad it is in San Francisco. Its really great to watch Griffey tear it up this season. It's yet another testament his greatness that he's able to get back to career after the years of adversity.

I'm also excited about the All-Star game for once, and I'm actually planning on watching it this year. I don't remember watching a whole All-Star game in a long time...remember when Bo Jackson started in Center?

Today is the first day of the rest of the season.

by satyanaas on Jul 7, 2007 11:18 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

And he and Wade Boggs led off with back-to-back homeruns?

by Brian B on Jul 7, 2007 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes! I forgot about that

Man, I was in awe of Bo Jackson. That guy could run up and down vertical walls.

Today is the first day of the rest of the season.

by satyanaas on Jul 7, 2007 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

1989

Eric Davis also started in center that game. It was a typical All Star game with 7 runs being scored in the first 3 innings and then there were 0 runs for the next 4 and only 1 for the rest of the game. Is it just me or does the All Star game have an inordinate amount of scoreless innings?

chandrathan has come out of the darkness and has seen a great light!

by Slyde on Jul 7, 2007 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

it must be just you

because when i watch the all star game i score during every inning. honk honk.

Barry Larkin is better than 10 super bowls put together

by Charlie Scrabbles on Jul 7, 2007 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am the worst proof-reader of myself. : /

Today is the first day of the rest of the season.

by satyanaas on Jul 7, 2007 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

definitely

Every year Griffey was on the Reds, he never once got to play- I remember in his first year, even though he played the majority of the season, he missed the ASG due to injury; then in '04 when I thought he was going to play, he gets injured right before the break.

Didnt think it would take 7 years to see him play in a Reds uniform, but will definately be watching his every move as the hiatus will only make this first time that much more special.

Of course, in the years when he didnt make the team, I always held out hope that the fans would still vote him as the starter like they did in Seattle in 1995

by tidel144 on Jul 7, 2007 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

im with you on this

griffey's return to the all star game after so many years of pain and shattered dreams should be right up there with when ted williams came in on the little cart. as it stands bonds will be showered with adoration in the stands while most of us at home watching television will be crying and vomiting.

as a side note, why hasnt GABP hosted the all star game yet? seems to me that when a good ol' baseball town gets a new stadium (see san fran, pittspuke, didnt detroit get it when comerica opened?) they get the all star game soon after. its been since before i was born that cincy had the all star game. what gives?

Barry Larkin is better than 10 super bowls put together

by Charlie Scrabbles on Jul 7, 2007 11:38 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You were born after 1988?

that makes me feel old.

I'd say there are other cities that probably deserve it more, though SF and Pittsburgh sure did get a quick turnaround to host again. It's been 30 years since NY has hosted an All Star game, not that I feel sorry for them. But I think both the Yanks and the Mets get to host once their new parks open. It's been 40 years since St. Louis hosted, but I think they are also on the schedule too. Tampa Bay, Florida, and Arizona have never hosted, though the first two parks are generally considered awful.

It'd be cool if the Reds got to host here soon, but it's not like GABP is considered a can't miss park, whereas SF and Pittsburgh are probably the two best parks in the game right now. I think that's why they got picked so quickly.

chandrathan has come out of the darkness and has seen a great light!

by Slyde on Jul 7, 2007 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

well, so i was 4 when cincy last hosted

but i certainly didnt know what was happening.

Barry Larkin is better than 10 super bowls put together

by Charlie Scrabbles on Jul 7, 2007 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yankee Stadium

The AS game next year will be at Yankee Stadium...the last year in that park before they move next door into their new stadium.

(I also heard that they are keeping the old stadium around, just tearing off the upper deck-not sure what that is all about. Detroit and now the Yanks will be playing next to their old stadiums...it must feel like living next door to your ex-wife).

by jambolyajones on Jul 7, 2007 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Detroit

Tiger Stadium is several blocks from Comerica - and as I recall, it might even be across the highway. It doesn't matter much as they are planning to tear it down soon, much to the chagrin of many fans. Obviously, with all of the abandoned buildings in downtown Detroit, Tiger Stadium is the one that MUST go.

chandrathan has come out of the darkness and has seen a great light!

by Slyde on Jul 7, 2007 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

They used

old Tiger Stadium as a stand in for old Yankee Stadium in 61*. I loved those towering outfield stands when I was a kid.

the check when it arrived we went clutch, clutch, clutch, clutch

by Man Mountain on Jul 7, 2007 7:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tiger Stadium...

...was my favorite place on Earth for most of my twenties.

It was a dump and (depending on where you sat) it was not a great place to see a baseball game but it was my favorite place on Earth.

by Fat Vegas Alan on Jul 7, 2007 7:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

griffey for president?

Although Ive been reading for over a year, I had never decided to post until now. I am of the age that when I was little Ken Griffey Jr. was god. I was always a fan, even when he was playing with the mariners. Like many of us, I was so happy when I heard he was coming to the reds for a cheap price relative to the other all-stars at the time. Of course it has played out in a way that nobody wanted to see, but at least he is back at the level of who he once was. I have been watching the all-star game the last few years, but mainly to only serve as a drinking game. It is enjoyable, have everyone pick a position, and they get to dole out one drink for a single, two for a double, and so on. I think it will be nice for bonds and griffey to be on the same field, eventhough I love one and despise the other. As for all the commotion about who is/was the better player, sure Bonds has 751 career homers, but who did Mr. Burns select to be a ringer on his softball team. Damn brain and nerve tonic.

by redswildcats on Jul 7, 2007 12:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

and a cats fan to boot?

you are ok by me. hi hello and welcome.

Marty may have a shirt on, but Billy Beane just ripped his off and is squeezing his nipples. - Brendan's ukkah

by boobs on Jul 7, 2007 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm lucky

I have two teams that have achieved many great things in my life, but now constantly dissapoint me. What I think needs to happen is Billy G needs to start figuring out this whole "baseball" thing. Who says you can't recruit in professional sports? He will have his eye on every little leaguer over 6.

by redswildcats on Jul 7, 2007 1:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Tony LaRussa will

have to put Griffey 3rd and Bonds 4th or something like that,

Reyes SS
Utley 2B
Griffey RF
Bonds LF
Beltran CF
Pujols 1B
Wright 3B
Martin C

idk he will prolly put pujols in the middle of them to spilt up the leftys but the All-Star game is about honoring players so i hope he does what i think is the right thing

"Yeah, well the Reds were first in spring training this year"-My friend after a Red Sox fan said the Reds suck.

by Zach K on Jul 7, 2007 4:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

*Prince Fielder

at 1st base which makes it more of a lefty stacked line up

but who knows he might just put Pujols in there {the best player in baseball} :}

"Yeah, well the Reds were first in spring training this year"-My friend after a Red Sox fan said the Reds suck.

by Zach K on Jul 7, 2007 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think Bonds might bat third..

..for much the same reason that many Red Reporters want to see Dunn bat third in Reds' lineups: to get him as many at-bat as possible.

(By the way, for those new to sabremetrics, that's "GHAMABAP.")

by Fat Vegas Alan on Jul 7, 2007 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

True that would make more sense

than batting Conine before Dunn...

Sabermetrics sounds sexy

"Yeah, well the Reds were first in spring training this year"-My friend after a Red Sox fan said the Reds suck.

by Zach K on Jul 7, 2007 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Griffey bandwagon

I totally get being on it, and I totally do NOT get the disdain for Griffey that many in Cincinnati hold (or have held in the past) for him.

But this is kind of like how many people felt about ED back in the day. I mean, just like with Griff, I was frustrated like hell about the injuries, but it's not like either of them could have done anything about it.

As far as the ASG, it's a nice honor, but pretty much totally irrelevant except for those moments like with Ted Williams. It'll be good to see Griff there, but I wish he would be participating in the Home Run Derby.

"I'd walk through hell in a gasoline suit to play baseball" - Pete Rose

by Officer Dibble on Jul 7, 2007 11:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

ED was one of many to not be welcomed

in cinti and not just because of injuries. If my memory serves me well the list includes:
Frank Robinson,Lee May,Bobby Tolan, Gary Redus,George Foster, Kal Daniels....although many on these players were fan favorites and were fine contributers they were not loved by the big bosses. Cincinnati management did not keep outspoken players, especially if they were Black.As far as injuries go: It is sad but true, that if Rose or Sabo or Freel got(get) hurt in the line of play they were looked at as 100%ers and heroes. However, Robby,Tolan, Kal Daniels, and ED were looked at differently...it was never articulated (except by Marge - Queen Bigot-Schott) but there was always that undercurrent that these guys were lazy, uppity negros who did not take care of themselves and they got what they deserved. I sometimes hear guys around my age(58) grump around about Griffey being one those overpaid 'ones' or 'when things get tough 'those people' get hurt etc. It amazes me that as upright and as great of player that Jr. is that there are still people who convert his injuries to subtle racism.

Maybe this comment got off the track a little but it seemed like an appropriate place to bring it up.

"Just take the ball and throw it where you want to. Throw strikes. Home plate don't move." Satchel Paige

by Madville on Jul 9, 2007 1:10 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs