2.19.2009

Griffey Headed To The…Mariners


So it appears that Ken Griffey Jr. is headed to the Seattle Mariners instead of the Atlanta Braves. This might not be too surprising since Jr. spent the first 11 years of his career as a Mariner, except that a story appeared in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Tuesday saying that Griffey was on his way to becoming a Brave.

Making matters somewhat more complicated is the rumor that Griffey became angry when he learned of the AJC’s story on Tuesday, and consequently changed his mind about going to Atlanta.

A few quick reactions to this story:

(1) Right about now, I’d hate to be one of the Journal-Constitution writers who published Tuesday’s article.

(2) If Ken Griffey Jr. really changed his mind about where he was going to play based on his reactions to reading a newspaper article, he’s incredibly fickle. So fickle in fact, that I doubt that was the real reason for his decision.

(3) As I’ve written before, I’m a fan of Griffey, and I would’ve been incredibly disappointed about him changing his mind about being a Brave…if it was 2000. But it’s not, it’s 2009. In the eight seasons since 2000, Griffey’s numbers haven’t exactly been mind-boggling. Hampered by injuries, he’s averaged just under 100 hits a year with 22 home runs, 63 RBI, a .270 BA and a .500 SLG.

Those aren’t bad numbers, and they’re certainly better numbers than what we got from our outfielders last season, but at the same time they’re not exactly earth-shattering. So mark down my disappointment level as “mild.”

(4) Frank Wren, the Atlanta GM, must be getting tired of wiping egg off his face this offseason. First he gets completely punked by Rafael Furcal, then he risks death by mob violence when he basically writes off John Smoltz, and now this. I’m starting to get the feeling that his tenure as Braves’ GM won’t last as long as his predecessor’s.

4 comments:

Anonymous 2/19/09, 10:26 AM  

I have your same thoughts. I'm upset w/ Wren cause of the Furcal deal and other things; I miss Schuerholz being GM.

And I wasn't excited that Griffey might be coming to Atlanta; just kinda shocked cause he's 39. I don't think he can carry it out much longer-- like Julio Franco did.

But I am a little upset that the Braves still haven't spent some "big" money on anyone this season. Ugh.

Luke Dockery 2/19/09, 11:04 AM  

Lori,

So far, I haven't been impressed with Wren.

I was happy that he eventually managed to get Derek Lowe and Kawakami signed, but I don't think that's enough to make the Braves good again unless we can find some offense from somewhere (which is why Griffey might've been a nice fit).

Oh well, at least we're not counting on Mike Hampton for wins this year.

Anonymous 2/20/09, 1:55 PM  

I think things went down hill for him when he left. Still do not understand why? The Reds were not going to win. Sad, but he is one of the goo guys, I think. (roid free)

Luke Dockery 2/20/09, 3:23 PM  

Carson,

Injuries have played a huge part in Griffey’s decline. He was remarkably healthy until he was about 30, then everything started falling apart.

Even though Griffey’s best years are behind him, I think history will remember him kindly—a guy with over 600 career home runs who played in the “Steroid Era” without taking part himself (as far as we know).

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