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Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy is in his 36th year of covering the Cincinnati Reds, the longest tenure for any active writer covering one team. Counting spring training and postseason games, McCoy has covered more than 7,000 major-league baseball games, written close to 18,000 baseball stories and eaten enough hot dogs to give Babe Ruth indigestion.Home > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2008 > May > 20 > Entry
Some things make me sick
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?
Permalink | Comments (35) | Post your comment | Categories: Ken Griffey Jr.
Comments
By Tom
June 2, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this
Thanks for speaking up Hal! I for one am glad you took the time to address so much of the junk floating in world of the internet message boards. Jr is one of a handful of great players that I will be able to say I had the joy and privilege of watching them play in person.By Nick
May 28, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this
he said that he doesn’t want to go to seattle? im sorry but get your fact straight. I have heard a number of times from HIS MOUTH that he wants to end his career in seattle and its the one place he would waive his no trade clause to.By Jerry
May 25, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this
I was at the Friday night ‘s game against the Indians in right field. A heckler was yelling things at Griffey, to retaliate he turned around and yelled “shut the F$%K up. There were a bunch of grade school kids in the section. No class. I called the front office and they referred to him as quote “a highly paid and high maintenance player”. He’s just another primadonna. Trade him!!!By John
May 23, 2008 2:33 AM | Link to this
“He isn’t going. Understand that. He isn’t going. He has said he won’t go to Seattle.” Wow thats news to us. Down in Seattle he’s calling up old friends and preparing for the move…..Havent heard that one before….By gcw
May 23, 2008 1:24 AM | Link to this
i don’t know, i doubt griffey would get traded at this point. wouldn’t get much for him. http://mmafight.caBy Jason
May 22, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this
Hal I respect your opinion and your writings greatly. That said, I have to disagree with you here. It seems, as often is the case in Cincinnati, we are mixing a person, with an athlete. In a perfect world we all want jr. Griffey to do well and succeed. As we do Casey, Harang and every other good human being. But let’s keep play on the field and play in the game of life seperate. Jr. Griffey, while still a good player is not and will never be the player he was. i think he is done a great disservice by softball articles such as this, that revert back to old stats and personal behavior rather then deal with the issues facing this team now. Oh yeah & Hal, lighten up on Charlie Steiner’s baseball beat. The Reds have enough people bashing them, you are supposed to be on our side!By ctownboy
May 22, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this
As far as KGJ being a nice guy, WHO CARES!!! Is he up for the Nobel Peace Prize? Is he working with the poor like Mother Theresa did? Is he buying my Reds ticket and paying for my gasoline to the Game? NO!! KGJ is playing baseball (and being paid VERY well for it) which is a SPORT. A sport where PRODUCING and WINNING is all that matters. Ty Cobb was a HORRIBLE person. He once went into the stands and beat up a crippled guy. Pete Rose was NOT a saint either. But guess what? BOTH of those guys are considered LEGENDS in baseball. Why? Because they gave it their all and PRODUCED on the field. NO ONE could accuse those two of lolligagging or just taking a day off and mailing it in. The 1977 and 1978 Yankees often times fought with each other and some players, Coaches, Managers and Owners even HATED each other BUT they played the game hard and WON back to back World Series. Sean Casey was a good guy in the Clubhouse BUT he was paid $7.5 million dollars and when his production dropped, he was traded away. That is what happens in baseball. You either produce or you get replaced by somebody who can. Well, unless you are KGJ. Griffey can NOT hustle and turn a Double into a Single and get away with it. KGJ can make a bet with Norris Hopper (the bet was to see who could get a certain type of hit first; Hopper a Home Run or KGJ a Triple) and get away with it. Why would an organization put up with THAT? Norris Hopper has worked hard to get to the Majors and he KNOWS what he is good at and what makes him successful and hitting Home Runs is NOT his type of Game. He knows his limitations yet KGJ wanted him to try and do something which he was NOT good at. What type of leader is that? KGJ wanted Hopper to go against his style of play JUST TO TRY AND HIT A HOME RUN. Doing that could have messed Hopper’s swing up for weeks and thus hurt the team but KGJ wanted him to do it anyway. In the end it didn’t matter because within two weeks of making the bet, KGJ hit a Triple to win the bet. Now remember, before that, KGJ hadn’t hit a Triple in over two years. So, KGJ can “somehow” find a way to hustle enough to get a Triple and win a bet from a guy who doesn’t make nearly as much as him but can NOT hustle on long fly balls that clang off the Outfield wall. That type of anti-productive attitude is what has infected this club and why they have been LOSERS for seven straight years. KGJ’s Home Run first attitude is also what has infected Adam Dunn. When Dunn first came up, he hit the ball to all fields. You can look it up as far as his Hit Chart goes. But starting in 2003, when the Reds started playing in GASP, Dunn became nothing but a pull hitter, just like KGJ. If you DON’T think KGJ and Dunn are nothing but pull hitters, then just look at opposing teams and how they play Defense against the twin albatrosses. As it stands now, the ONLY way the Reds are going to be winners is if BOTH KGJ and Dunn are shown the door. The Reds NEED a balanced Offense, one that does NOT just solely rely on the Home Run as a means of scoring. In short, the Reds NEED better hitters than what KGJ and Dunn are.By ctownboy
May 22, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this
The ONLY thing KGJ cares about is his EGO!!! Back in 1999, he was the face of the Mariners but because they didn’t win (or even MAKE it to a World Series) he got criticised for it and couldn’t take the heat. KGJ turned down an 8 year, $140 million dollar contract from the Mariners, a team that HAD A Rod, Randy Johnson, Edgar Martinez and Jay Buhner. He then asked for a trade. The Mariners obliged and set up a trade but KGJ turned that down (because he was a 10/5 man and had veto authority). KGJ then DEMANDED to ONLY be traded to the Reds thus putting Seattle’s Front Office and Ownership over a barrel with NO leverage or bargaining power. Why the Reds? Because his Dad played for the Big Red Machine (one of the greatest teams in the history of baseball) and because KGJ grew up in Cincinnati. Griffey KNEW if he went back home that fans and media would NOT criticise him, no matter what (just like Hall and this fluff piece). If KGJ TRULY wanted to win, then WHY not take Seattles money? If KGJ TRULY wanted to win, WHY not just wait out the season and become a Free Agent? I mean, in the five previous years, the Mariners had a BETTER record than the Reds and had gone to MORE Play-Offs. On top of that, the Yankees had WON three World Series. WHY didn’t KGJ just sign with them? You KNOW Steinbrenner would have forked over the MOST money for the BEST player (at that time) in baseball, so WHY didn’t KGJ go there? EGO!!!! KGJ heard it from the Mariner fans when that team didn’t win so what do you think would have happened if KGJ played in New York, Boston, Philadelphia or any other large city? Horrific booing and daily critiques from the press, that’s what. DO, KGJ takes the money (and the easy way out) and comes to CIncinnati, a place he KNOWS he can get away with whatever he wants and NOT be hounded for it. If you don’t believe me, look at the results. Seven years of losing and KGJ (along with Dunn) are the centerpieces of the Offense. Two guys who only care about Home Runs and who are accomodated by the park they play in. Since 2005, people said KGJ should move to a corner Outfield spot, 1) so that he would have less wear and tear on his body and 2) because he wasn’t a good Center Fielder anymore. Did KGJ see that? NO! He resisted for two years and then once the decision was finally made, he went grudgingly. During this same time, he has, on numerous occasions, stood at Home plate after hitting long fly balls that clanked off the Outfield walls for Singles instead of busting butt and getting a Double. How many times have fans booed him for this? How many times have sports writers called him out ofr this? Not many. Edwin E gets publically called out for this behaviour and also sent to the Minors for it but KGJ gets a FREE PASS!! Now, KGJ is constantly batting in the number three spot in the order when clearly HE DOES NOT DESERVE TOO! If KGJ WANTS to be on a winner, WHY does he stay in Cincinnati? IT looks like seven years (going on eight) would be enough? The Reds have been down this worn out path many times (losing seasons) and KGJ should recognize what is going on. IF he TRULY wants to be on a winner, then he would either ask to be moved down in the order, tell Management he would be OK with splitting time with Jay Bruce OR ask to be traded. Tampa Bay is close to KGJ’s home in Orlando. They are in First Place in their Division, they have PLENTY of Minor League prospects and they have the DH. If Ca$htellini or Jocketty had the balls, they would TELL KGJ his time is over with the Reds, bring Jay Bruce up and start turning the page. But instead of WINNING baseball, Ca$htellini just looks at the dollar signs of KGJ and his chase for 600 Home Runs. Remember last year, KGJ was well on his way to that number before he (yet again) got injured. WHy not dump him NOW while he is still healthy and is still shy of 600? That would give the acquiring team MORE reason to trade for him instead of waiting until AFTER he hits it (if he EVER does).By Sigh Yung
May 22, 2008 12:48 AM | Link to this
Steve: Please tell your boys to shut their eyes!By Steve
May 21, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this
Junior is the best baseball player in my era. I grew up idolizing the man and what a better role model for young people. My two young boys have Griffey jerseys and it’s a shame he won’t be around for them to remember how he plays the game. A class of his own!By Steve
May 21, 2008 9:47 PM | Link to this
Junior is the best baseball player in my era. I grew up idolizing the man and what a better role model for young people. My two young boys have Griffey jerseys and it’s a shame he won’t be around for them to remember how he plays the game. A class of his own!By Ghost of Bo Diaz
May 21, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this
I agree that KGJ is a great person, but what we need at the #3 spot in the order is a great hitter. Griffey is slugging below .300 since his last HR nearly a month ago. Carlos Zambrano is slugging .433 this season and Juan Castro slugged .335 for his career. Griffey is just not getting it done offensively. Also, some people take this blog way too seriously. It’s Hal’s blog, a place for his opinions, and he is not bound by journalistic laws of objectivity.By matthew
May 21, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this
why anyone would ever eat a hot dog is beyond me…i recommend never looking behind the curtain to see what goes into them…By James
May 21, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this
Personal attacks on Griffey and McCoy are baseless and useless. So, too, are the suggestions of those who would like to tell these Hall of Famers hwo to do their jobs. I think there can be discord and discussion, but personal attacks are low, and they don’t even make for a good argument.By James
May 21, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this
Personal attacks on Griffey and McCoy are baseless and useless. So, too, are the suggestions of those who would like to tell these Hall of Famers hwo to do their jobs. I think there can be discord and discussion, but personal attacks are low, and they don’t even make for a good argument.By will
May 21, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this
Steve C = Ignorant diatrib spewing moron. You should be so lucky you Hal McCoy chooses to do this blog. Go somewhere else and spew your crap if you dont like reading his stuff.By null Jimmie
May 21, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this
Because i say Griffey is callimg a lot of the shots.By Keith
May 21, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this
For $12.5 million a year, I’d expect a little more than a ‘nice guy.’ I respect Jr., but when a public figure is paid that kind of money he should expect criticism when he bats .250 with 3 HRs. For the money he makes, I wouldn’t mind an apology for not hitting HRs or driving in runs. Perhaps in the form of a donation of his salary that he’s not to the kids of Cincinnati.By Mark
May 21, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this
Hal..I agree with that other poster..you have lost your perspective. If Griffey is unable to perform..he needs to retire or become a bench player He has been paid handsomely for his effort..time for him to move onBy Florida Buckeye
May 21, 2008 8:08 AM | Link to this
Hal, I have suffered from GERD, so I can empathize with your pain. Also, I appreciate that this is a blog, and that, inherently means that it’s your opinions. I enjoy reading them, although today’s thoughts about Griffey were a little disappointing. I don’t know Junior as a person; but then again, the Reds aren’t paying him to be a humanitarian. He’s here to help a team win ballgames, and it’s no coincidence that the Reds have a worse record with him on the team, than without. Also, I stayed up last night to watch the game, and then was bummed to see Patterson, Griffey and Encarnacion all in the starting line up AGAIN…What gives? Does Dusty not understand the definition of insanity: Doing the exact same thing over and over, and expecting different results…I don’t get it.By Coach
May 21, 2008 6:05 AM | Link to this
What a crime it is to have Jay Bruce screwed in Louisville—deserving a chance{if anyone does}to play in Cincy—simply because his stats are better overall than ANYONE starting at present in the Redlegs outfield! “Play me—or trade me”! Sounds like Jay gets a hit, occasionally, when they need one!By Steve C
May 21, 2008 2:49 AM | Link to this
Hal, you are a reporter. That’s YOUR job. You can be a fan if you wish, but it’s rather unfair to your readers when you lose your objectivity. This Griffey diatribe of yours is pure homer crap. You are talking to peploe who don’t get to hang around the Reds clubhouse or have to suffer free food in the press dining room or travel from one beautiful historic ballpark to another, beautiful town to beautiful town. Many of us are stuck here in Mudville. Gads, why not just retire if it’s such a strain on you? If you can’t maintain your objectivity and speak to us without so much bias, perhaps it’s time for you to hang it up. If you don’t want feedback, why have a blog? Must we all agree with you and be a bunch of Bush-like sycophants and try to please you for our collective pat on the head? You’ve had a fine career. Maybe Griffey has a place for you on his yacht.By Mark
May 21, 2008 1:43 AM | Link to this
It might have been a bad batch of Dodger Dogs. I was up at 3am after the 3 I had last (Monday) night. We’ll see how tonight’s dogs sit with me. Griffey had a solid game tonight. Great sliding catch and almost put one out. Add those to his solid hits last night. I think he is looser playing on the road because of the rumors and criticism in Cincinnati.By Mark
May 20, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this
Nicely done Hal! If you want some more heartburn, you should check out the joke of a video on TMZ.com that’s supposed to depict Junior walking out of a Hollywood restaurant stumbling and drunk. If you see it in that clip, let me know because it looked like he barely missed the curb as he gets into a cab. Hogwash! I do think Dusty has a tough call to make if Jockety decides that Bruce needs to play and play now. If he doesn’t release Patterson (or trade him) then someone has to sit. Does Dusty have to the have the “conversation” with Griffey that “you’ve been great for baseball, a hall a famer on and off the field, but you’re no longer a starter..etc…etc.?”. I mean, for all of the bad AB’s Patterson has posted, he’s growing on me as an outfielder in taking good routes to balls and playing smarter (aka. the opposite of Freel). I love Griffey. He’s the only player whose jersey I’ve actually purchased to wear to games. But, he looks old to me this year and I’m not sure he’ll post numbers that we’re used to with Griff.By Mike
May 20, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this
Hal, you wrote a great defense of Ken Griffey, JR. the person. He deserves credit for being a fine human being. Clearly, as you state, his baseball skills have eroded. He should volunteer to move down in the order and probably sit against some lefties. I admire his determination. I know he wants to do well. I hope he does. He has had a wonderful career but all of us hate watching a previously great talent struggle at the end. It may not be fair but he has to be held to same standard as we hold Belisle, Arroyo, Patterson, Ross, Weathers, Dunn, Encarnacion or any other player who may not live up to expectations.By Monroe Red
May 20, 2008 9:24 PM | Link to this
Thanks Hal for the insightful and INFORMED opinion. So who will be the next punching bag. My money is on Dunn, just because of his salary. Some Reds fans seem to love to build them up, just to tear them down.By James Humphrey, Jr.
May 20, 2008 9:09 PM | Link to this
Hal, if you truly have heartburn tonight, have someone go out and grab you some Pepcide complete. It’s the best thing I’ve encountered for heartburn or when my stomach feels nasty. Good luck. : )By Mr. Redlegs (Original)
May 20, 2008 8:54 PM | Link to this
Prilosec is the king of antacids and while I’m no big Griffey fan, there’s absolutely zero to argue with on Hal’s points. The number of play-to-play knee-jerk reactionists on Reds blogs these days is staggering … as in staggeringly stupid. Who died and made some of you owner/GM/manager/all-knowing genius in one horrific swoop?By Jay
May 20, 2008 8:51 PM | Link to this
Hal, that was wonderfully written. Griffey has meant more to MLB and the Reds than people give him credit for. Keep up the GREAT work, Hal!!!By ShockMonkey
May 20, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this
Hal, you’re closer the man and team than I’ll ever be so I acquiesce to your insight. If we look at the situation strictly as a business: we really should try to move him. It’s time. Age and injuries have taken their toll. The old Bill Walsh theory on veterans: get rid of ‘um two years before they think they’re done.By HuberTucky
May 20, 2008 8:09 PM | Link to this
Hal, seriously, the best thing I ever found for heartburn was a chewable licorice & ginger tablet about the size of a dime. NOT medication, totally safe and instantly 100% effective. Amazing stuff. Now to the cause of so much heartburn — the Reds. Looking forward to tonight’s Battle of the Mound Titans: CIN: Belisle (1-3, 7.45 ERA). LA: Billingsley (3-5, 4.34 ERA). I’m afraid ever time Belisle take the mound. Time to grab a handful and start chewin’!By Reds Fan
May 20, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this
Hal hope you are feeling better. I agree 100% about Griffey being put together literally after all the surgeries. He is a 1st time HOF unlike the McGwire, Sosa,Bonds. As a Reds fan we should be proud however all of us agree a 38 yr old needs to swallow some pride and realize he isn’t a 3 hole hitter. I honestly think this team is 1 spark away from putting together something special. If that is pitching or Jay Bruce so be it. Hope Belislie can pitch the game of his life tonight and Cueto can steal us another tomorrow night. Be nice to finally win at Dodger Stadium.By Coach
May 20, 2008 7:01 PM | Link to this
Hal, I agree with your assessment of Griffey the person. I admire his accomplishments, without the use of steroids. He WAS magnificent! Whether he can be moved or not, to me is not the question—the question is: have his abilities eroded to the point, where another player can do more for this team, than he can, THIS YEAR? I know what pain is from my own athletic life—and I know how difficult career ending injuries can be. Many have had to face the end, before they wanted to.In my opinion Griffey’s time is past due. Another question is: How long should anyone be allowed to be in a starting lineup, as opposed to being limited to a pinch hitting role—if his defense and baserunning skills are a detriment? Jay Bruce would have made it easily into second base—because he would not have eased up before getting to first base, as Griffey did, and has done so many times before. Whether Griffey eased up because of pain, or any other reason—he did, in fact, ease up! That hurts the team; and THAT is what knowledgeable baseball fans notice and dislike, because they too want to win! There comes a point where all athletes must recognise the end of their career is at hand. They must then get out of the way. As great as he WAS—he is no longer that! He is a wonderful human being—but THAT is not the name of the game. TY Cobb and others did not make the HOF because they were neat people;and when Dimaggio’s skills were no longer the equal of Mantle’s, he was replaced. Simple as that. The right thing for Griffey, or anyone in the same boat to do, is go to management and ask them to bring up Jay Bruce—and agree to play less. Facts are facts.By Y-City Jim
May 20, 2008 6:37 PM | Link to this
I heard Junior would volunteer to bat lower in the order as soon as Corey Patterson is moved down into the No. 8 spot where he belongs.By Brian
May 20, 2008 6:29 PM | Link to this
This is my first post. A question came to mind when you said Griffey is concerned about the team. If he is so concerned why wont he voluteer to hit lower in the batting order? He is no longer a number 3 hitter