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Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy has retired from the Dayton Daily News after covering the Cincinnati Reds for 37 years. Hal's blog, though, will continue to be a must-read for Reds fans. He'll share his thoughts on the team this season and will file updates from Great American Ball Park. You also can catch Hal in print every Sunday in his popular Ask Hal columnHome > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2008 > May > 20
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Griffey laughs at TMZ
For those who have seen the short video of Ken Griffey Jr. on TMZ’s celebrity web-site and wonder if he is angry or ready to file suit, fear not.
He laughed at it. And then he said, “TMZ, baby, I made it.”
The video shows Griffey and his actor friend, Tony Todd, leaving a Hollywood steakhouse Monday night. As he walks toward a cab, Griffey trips on a curb. The headline on the web-site says, “Stumbling Home,” implying that Griffey was inebriated.
Griffey doesn’t drink. He can’t. He knows the reaction his father had to alcohol. Ken Griffey Sr. didn’t drink, either. But after the Cincinnati Reds won the 1975 World Series, somebody coaxed him into sipping half a beer.
Next thing you knew, Senior was reclined on top of a dressing cubicle, giggling non-stop. And that’s why the Griffeys don’t imbibe.
“When I came out of the restaurant the guy asked me a dumb question,” said Griffey. “I guess he was mad when I didn’t answer. He asked, ‘What do you think of the Roger Clemens indictment?’ “
If you don’t go to the celebrities, the celebrities come to Dodger Stadium. Charlie Sheen and Rob Reiner are regulars. On Monday night, Desperate Housewives actor James Denton was on the field during batting practice.
And, of course, if you are a baseball celebrity and wander out to dinner, some foof with a camera is going to catch you picking your nose and pulling the underwear out of your crack.
Too bad they didn’t have web-sites and phonecams back in the ’70s.
One of my funniest memories of Dodger Stadium was back in the 1970s when Sparky Anderson did something I had never seen before nor have seen since.
In the top of the first inning, the Reds had a rally going and light-hitting third baseman John Vukovich was due up. Anderson pinch-hit for him - and he hadn’t even been on the field yet.
Vukovich was a bit miffed. As he walked up the tunnel from the dugout to the clubhouse, he used the bat he didn’t get to use in the game - knocking out every light bulb from dugout to clubhouse.
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Can anybody out there recommend a good heartburn medication?
OK, so it’s my fault. I’m going to antagonize a lot folks here. Even I have been a big, big fan of the Dodger Dog, the long hot dog they serve off the grills in Dodger Stadium.
I had two last night (they serve them in the press box). At 5 o’clock this morning I awoke in a cold seat and felt as if a heart attack was upon me. I stayed in bed until 1 in the afternoon, except for occasional dash to the bathroom.
So … NO MORE DODGER DOGS. Ever.
I almost didn’t come to the game, but I’m now sitting in the press box, avoiding the media dining room and reading more diatribes about Ken Griffey Jr. and how it is his fault this team isn’t very good.
OK, so it is time to address Griffey. Yes, I like Ken Griffey Jr. As a human being there is no better person. If all of us were half the person he is in what he does for people this world would be a much better place.
I’ve kept quiet for a long time about the postings about Griffey - even when a supposed friend accuses me of protecting him because he is a friend or some moron accusing him of giving me a car.
No. 1 - Griffey does not loaf. No, he doesn’t run hard. Why? The guy has two screws keeping his butt attached to his leg. He has had surgery on every ligament, muscle and moving part in both legs. It is a miracle he can run as fast as he does.
Nobody said he didn’t care or had a poor attitude when he was a superstar. His attitude was exactly the same then as it is now. He is not an outwardly emotional person. Does he have to jump up and down and do somersaults to show people he cares. I know he cares. Losing kills him. Not doing well, not helping his team, hurts him even more.
What do people want him to do, apologize because he isn’t hitting home runs or driving in runs?
No. 2 - He is not a cancer in the clubhouse and he is not a bad influence. He is one of the most positive guys in that room and shares his thoughts and experiences with all his teammates, young and old. He is probably the best-liked guy in the clubhouse by his teammates.
And let’s quit saying trade him, move him to Seattle. He isn’t going. Understand that. He isn’t going. He has said he won’t go to Seattle. So it is moot and it is a waste of effort and breath to keep saying trade him.
He’ll be with the Reds the rest of the season and then he’ll be gone. The Reds aren’t likely to pick up his option.
And if I like the guy, so sue me. He has meant an awful lot to this game and meant an awful lot to scores of people he has helped - without making a big issue out of it or seeking publicity about it.
I’ve never covered a guy who likes to talk about himself less than Griffey does. Talk about other people, fine. Talk about his accomplishments? Go talk to somebody else.
Unfortunately, most baseball fans can only see the surface. What is the guy doing for me now? That’s true, to a point. Are Griffey’s skills diminished? Yes. Injuries and age have taken the inevitable toll.
But the Reds won’t take him out back and shoot him. He’ll be gone after this year and the fans who are always looking for a fall guy can turn their sights on somebody else.
And he has never bought me so much as a cup of coffee, let alone a car. Besides, I can’t drive a car, remember?
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