Griffey to Braves...UPDATE: Nope.

by Man Mountain on Feb 18, 2009 10:39 AM EST Comment 52 comments

Hmmmmm......

The official word is that Griffey hasn't made a decision yet, but all the noise out of Atlanta is that Griff's people and the Braves are finalizing the deal as I type this.

I'll update this fanpost (!!1!) if there seems to be a final word, at which point you can return your "Griffey is all class for ending his legendary career where he started it" and pick up your "Griffey is all class for wanting to be close to his family and maybe play for a contender one last time." No additional cost.

UPDATE: The AJC's Braves blogger seems certain that it's a done deal.

UPDATE 2: Griff changed his mind (again). You may now resume your appreciation for our fully-boxed Odysseus as he returns to rainy Penelope in Brian B's thread here: http://www.redreporter.com/2009/2/18/763710/griffey-to-mariners

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Griffey just shit all over the fans in Seattle...

again

Made from 100% recycled awesome,

by chandrathan on Feb 18, 2009 10:57 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Made from 100% recycled awesome,

by chandrathan on Feb 18, 2009 11:00 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Hope Jr. is enjoying the attention..it'll be last I fear

Its better that he go to Atlanta, you know what Thomas Wolfe says.

I may be insensitive and crude, but a racist NEVER.
Mads

by Madville on Feb 18, 2009 11:38 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

ummm, what does Wolfe say?

I don’t know.

...because there's already someone posing as Jacob Brumfield

by Cy Schourek on Feb 18, 2009 1:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

unless, of course, you were describing

the sex scene in I Am Charlotte Simmons, which did win an award for “Worst Sex Scene in Fiction” and I’m bummed out I can’t find a copy of the scene online.

...because there's already someone posing as Jacob Brumfield

by Cy Schourek on Feb 18, 2009 1:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Last year's award went to some piece named "Shire Hell"

God, I hope it’s some hobbit slashfic.

by Brendanukkah on Feb 18, 2009 1:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i believe mads is referring

to this

There's action across the street. It's Snowman! Take him!

by Man Mountain on Feb 18, 2009 2:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

One of my favorite books, ever

by Pops Daniels on Feb 18, 2009 2:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Mine too - Too bad Grif didn't read it

Hope it works out for him in Seattle

I may be insensitive and crude, but a racist NEVER.
Mads

by Madville on Feb 18, 2009 11:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

it will be the last big media attention until he reitres and goes to the HOF - I mean

I may be insensitive and crude, but a racist NEVER.
Mads

by Madville on Feb 18, 2009 11:38 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Does anyone else

think that Jr. has an over inflated sense of self importance?

"I'm standing at the plate thinking, Where are my hands? Where's this, where's that? Before I know it, the pitch is there and I'm completely out of rhythm." -
-- Adam Dunn

by Joe Nolan's Glasses on Feb 18, 2009 11:48 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

yes

Made from 100% recycled awesome,

by chandrathan on Feb 18, 2009 12:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Thank you.

"I'm standing at the plate thinking, Where are my hands? Where's this, where's that? Before I know it, the pitch is there and I'm completely out of rhythm." -
-- Adam Dunn

by Joe Nolan's Glasses on Feb 18, 2009 12:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

FWIW

I do think Griffey has a bit of the prima donna about him. Not obnoxiously so, but I think it’s part of his character.

But I don’t have any problem with this. He’s an athlete who still wants to play the entire game and there happens to be an NL team who seems willing to pay him to do that.

I kind of respect that he’s rejecting all the soft-focus stories and po-faced tributes that a return to Seattle would entail and making a decision based on what he wants. Not what sentimental baseball fans want for him.

There's action across the street. It's Snowman! Take him!

by Man Mountain on Feb 18, 2009 12:16 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

I vote for Seattle

I’m glad he’s going to be playing somewhere, but as a fan if he’s not going to finish out in Cincinnati, I would like to see him end up in Seattle. I understand why he would want to be close to his family, but it would be great if he would make a sacrifice for a season and play out a final year in a city that really really wants him. Also, a DH role is a no-brainer.

by satyanaas on Feb 18, 2009 11:56 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Reminder:

He and his family got death threats in Seattle, so I have to think that he doesn’t believe he owes those fans/the franchise anything. Not the whole picture, by any stretch, but enough that I’d be heading to Atlanta in his case.

Heck, I’ve only been at work 52 minutes and I miss my kid. Whatever he wants to do is more than fine with me.

And I’m glad he’s not a Red anymore – although at $2M, he’d likely be an improvement.

I try not to break the rules but merely to test their elasticity. - Bill Veeck

by PeteyHendrix on Feb 18, 2009 12:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Another point to ponder

If/When he signs with the Braves, that means that he’ll be making road trips back to Cincinnati. How does the crowd react? Personally, I think he has a good claim to be in the Reds Hall of Fame. I’d like to think he gets a nice ovation when he returns.

by Brendanukkah on Feb 18, 2009 12:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'll throw my underwear at him

a la Tom Jones. I hope he likes XL boxer briefs replete with skid marks.

"I'm standing at the plate thinking, Where are my hands? Where's this, where's that? Before I know it, the pitch is there and I'm completely out of rhythm." -
-- Adam Dunn

by Joe Nolan's Glasses on Feb 18, 2009 12:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Not a bad plan

There’s a good chance he’d return the favor.

by Brendanukkah on Feb 18, 2009 1:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The only bad thing

about throwing an athletic supporter is that it would be free of skid marks. Unless you have a serious case of monkey ass (see definition 2).

"I'm standing at the plate thinking, Where are my hands? Where's this, where's that? Before I know it, the pitch is there and I'm completely out of rhythm." -
-- Adam Dunn

by Joe Nolan's Glasses on Feb 18, 2009 1:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I was at that game.

I wish I had been in that section…but my boy, Benjamin Koufax, was with me in the 2nd tier. It was his first MLB game, and I’m glad there’s a solid story behind it that is funny to share.

Few things in life are as important as a funny, interesting story you can share to make people laugh…and to thereby make them love you a little more…because your mother never hugged you…sob…sob…SOB…

(pulling it together…thinking of Edwin winning the Gold Glove…sobbing again)

I try not to break the rules but merely to test their elasticity. - Bill Veeck

by PeteyHendrix on Feb 18, 2009 1:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

ESPN now says Griffey is going to the Mariners...

I’m ready for this story to end

Made from 100% recycled awesome,

by chandrathan on Feb 18, 2009 8:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Lookout Landing and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer are confirming that Griffey has signed with Seattle.

<a href=“http://seattlepi.nwsou”http://blog.lehighvalleylive.com/phillipsburg_impact/2008/09/large_Still20Valley20Tunnel.JPGrce.com/baseball/400612_griffey20.html" target="_blank">http://blog.lehighvalleylive.com/phillipsburg_impact/2008/09/large_Still20Valley20Tunnel.JPGrce.com/baseball/400612_griffey20.html" >Link.

Wow.

by Brendanukkah on Feb 18, 2009 8:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Try that again.

Link.

by Brendanukkah on Feb 18, 2009 8:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

amazing that manny can't get two teams to bid for him

but griffey was able to string two teams along for over a week

Made from 100% recycled awesome,

by chandrathan on Feb 18, 2009 8:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The funny thing is

I can’t reallyl think of Junior in a Mariners outfit. I just keep picturing him in red. That kid in aqua and teal is too skinny, not the same person at all.

by Brendanukkah on Feb 18, 2009 8:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Junior wasn't asking for three years, $70 million

Or whatever wacky ass number Boras wants.

"I AM ARABIC FOR SUGAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!" -- by sukr on Jan 12, 2009 4:55 PM EST

by jch24 on Feb 18, 2009 8:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

In other news

Frank Thomas says he could hit 35-40 homeruns this year

Made from 100% recycled awesome,

by chandrathan on Feb 18, 2009 8:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Frank Thomas couldn't do 35-40 squat thrusts this year

"I AM ARABIC FOR SUGAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!" -- by sukr on Jan 12, 2009 4:55 PM EST

by jch24 on Feb 18, 2009 9:01 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

rec'd

Made from 100% recycled awesome,

by chandrathan on Feb 18, 2009 9:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

double rec'd

and jch is the squat thrust master!

"aw....c'mon. That's suck! I heard Coldplay on WARM98" obc son(after watching the band win Best Rock Grammy)

by obc2 on Feb 18, 2009 9:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Give it 30 minutes

They’ll reveal that his COUSIN is going to Seattle. Being a Mariner was something he did when he was young and stupid.
If only he’d gone to college!

Whether you like it or not, history is on our side. We will bury you.

by "Red" Moskau on Feb 18, 2009 8:46 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

well

This was a twist I wasn’t expecting. Everyone seemed sure he was going to Atlanta.

All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?

by BubbaFan on Feb 18, 2009 9:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The folks at Talking Chop

are taking the news well.

by Brendanukkah on Feb 18, 2009 9:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Can't say as I blame them

Made from 100% recycled awesome,

by chandrathan on Feb 18, 2009 9:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

especially after Furcal did the same thing to them earlier this year

We’’re in process of trying to a guy with a trade record of working with pitches

by Slyde on Feb 18, 2009 9:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If it's Seattle,

does that mean they’re drafting Trey?

by ken on Feb 18, 2009 9:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

MLB Trade Rumors

Has this bit:

Sources have indicated that Griffey’s tide turned shortly after he became upset with the fact that The Atlanta-Journal Constitution was reporting that he’d already decided to play for the Braves.

All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?

by BubbaFan on Feb 18, 2009 9:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

he's such a priss

"aw....c'mon. That's suck! I heard Coldplay on WARM98" obc son(after watching the band win Best Rock Grammy)

by obc2 on Feb 18, 2009 9:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

"I'm so happy that I'll be closer to my family and playing for a great manager, and... what?"

“The AJC said I was coming here before my press conference? That’s it! I’m going to Seattle! You got more than you bargained for, Mariners. I’m your goddamn designated hitter!”

by Brendanukkah on Feb 18, 2009 9:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

I don’t get it either. Maybe he doesn’t like local newspapers that print unsubstantiated rumors?

Or maybe he thinks the Braves betrayed him by leaking info to the press?

All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?

by BubbaFan on Feb 18, 2009 10:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

...or maybe he's just a total shit

this is nuts.

My millions are unconventional!

by Charlie Scrabbles on Feb 18, 2009 10:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Or maybe he got a call from a special someone

about what it’s like to play out the string in your hometown.

by ken on Feb 19, 2009 12:04 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The poor reporter who broke the AJC story

about Griffey signing with the Braves is apparently getting a lot of abuse for it. The fans are blaming him for plecking off Jr. and chasing him to Seattle.

All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?

by BubbaFan on Feb 19, 2009 6:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

he did Braves fans a solid

"aw....c'mon. That's suck! I heard Coldplay on WARM98" obc son(after watching the band win Best Rock Grammy)

by obc2 on Feb 19, 2009 7:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

indeed

Many members of my family and close friends are Braves fans. All seem relieved.

by Pops Daniels on Feb 19, 2009 7:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Good thing Walt didn't get strung along.

Why wasn’t Leatherpants in the bidding? Doesn’t he need an outfielder?

I try not to break the rules but merely to test their elasticity. - Bill Veeck

by PeteyHendrix on Feb 18, 2009 11:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Griffey as a Red

Inspired by Brendanukkah’s wondering if Griffey belongs in the Reds Hall of Fame, I took a look at his all-time ranks in Cincinnati (top 10 in bold):

—Single Season—
Slugging %
15 (2005)
24 (2000)
44 (2001)
OPS
23 (2005)
25 (2000)
Home Runs
7 (2000)
25 (2005)
41 (2007)
RBI
19 (2000)
Base on Balls
19 (2004)
40 (2007)
Run Created
33 (2000)
Extra Base Hits
42 (2000)
Hit by Pitch
49 (2000)
At Bat per Home Run
8 (2000)
16 (2005)
41 (2006)
46 (2001)
42 (2005)

—Career—
On Base %
20
Slugging %
3
OPS
5
Games Played
35
At Bats
35
Plate Appearances
32
Runs
29
Hits
36
Total Bases
22
Doubles
29
Home Runs
7
RBI
23
Base on Balls
15
OPS+
21
Runs Created
22
Adjusted Batting Runs
23
Batting Wins
23
Extra Base Hits
18
Times on Base
28
Offensive Winning %
18
Hit By Pitch
26
At Bat per Home Run
2
Outs
32