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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 > July > 31 > Entry
Senior: Junior received death threats
Father knows best and Ken Griffey Sr. knows what his son went through, things people don’t know.
How about death threats during Griffey’s first three years in Cincinnati?
“When Seattle wanted to trade him, Cincinnati was the only team to which he wanted to go,” Griffey’s father, Ken Griffey Sr., said today. “He received threats to kill his family, kidnap his kids. When his family didn’t show up at games on time, to start the game, I could see his demeanor change. He didn’t care about the game. You could see it in his face. He wasn’t the same until his family showed up at the game.
“That’s why he never wanted pictures taken of Melissa (his wife) or the kids, and can you blame him?” Griffey added.
And the injuries?
“People have no idea what he went through in his career,” Griffey said. “The first time he broke his hand in Seattle, it was bad, man. I thought he might miss two years. They put a plate in his hand and he was back in six weeks. Then a screw came loose in the plate and he screwed it back in himself.”
Then there were all the injuries in Cincinnati.
“I’m proud of what he did and he doesn’t owe anybody anything,” he said. “I know what he went through. There is no doubt in my mind that without the injuries he would be right there with Barry Bonds right now in home runs. No doubt.”
Senior said he could see the trade coming, “Because I know the direction of the team and I can see in the minors what’s coming up.”
Griffey, who works for the Reds as a scout, said Junior called him at 2 a.m. this morning to tell him he had been traded and that the team needed his approval. He wanted advice.
“I told him he had a great eight-year run in Cincinnati, nothing to apologize for. With the injuries, it was amazing he reached 600 homers. A great accomplishment. I told him the only thing he didn’t have was the ring and that he should go for it. The White Sox have a chance to get him that ring.”
Senior said Junior said softly, “OK, dad. Thanks.”
About Griffey’s feud with broadcaster Jeff Brantley, Griffey said, “Brantley played the game and should know better. If he sat down and got to know Junior he would appreciate him more. Fans boo when you mess up. They’ll boo. They don’t need a broadcaster telling them they should boo more.”
And that was it.
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By Redlegs
August 1, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this
Agreed Pacman - Brantley should have known better as a former player - as SR stated. Also want to thank jr & the posters who 95% recognize the talent the is JR. the injuries SR spoke of would have retired most players 5 years ago - Jr loved the game & wanted to be loved here in his hometown - he may have been better off retiring than putting his body through what he did. I have to agree as well that mrw & Dave are total racist jackasses & I am surprised they have the intelligence to use a computer. Best of luck JR - hope you get that ring!!!
By pacfandave
August 1, 2008 7:30 AM | Link to this
Jeff Brantley? I never heard of Jeff Brantley until I read this article. Quite often parasites at the bottom of the food chain will attach to those at the top as a means of getting there themselves. You ask me, Griffey was just deloused.
By big mike
August 1, 2008 7:16 AM | Link to this
good luck jr. the fickle cincy fans don’t deserve a class act as yourself ,it just goes to prove what i’ve always said that cincy fans are the worst in sports[bengals,and reds]
By big mike
August 1, 2008 7:16 AM | Link to this
good luck jr. the fickle cincy fans don’t deserve a class act as yourself ,it just goes to prove what i’ve always said that cincy fans are the worst in sports[bengals,and reds]
By big mike
August 1, 2008 7:15 AM | Link to this
good luck jr. the fickle cincy fans don’t deserve a class act as yourself ,it just goes to prove what i’ve always said that cincy fans are the worst in sports[bengals,and reds]
By big mike
August 1, 2008 7:15 AM | Link to this
good luck jr. the fickle cincy fans don’t deserve a class act as yourself ,it just goes to prove what i’ve always said that cincy fans are the worst in sports[bengals,and reds]
By JES
July 31, 2008 11:32 PM | Link to this
The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.” Unfortunately, Cincinnatian are famous for not appreciating some of their athletes. Just ask the Big “O” or Jr.
By Drew
July 31, 2008 11:30 PM | Link to this
Good luck Jr., I hope you get a ring with Chicago like you deserve. Internet mighty mouse Dave D needs to think about getting a girlfriend.
By JAMES P MILLIGAN
July 31, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this
THE GRIFFEY FAMILY WILL GO DOWN AS ONE OF THE GREATEST BASEBALL FAMILY’S THAT BASEBALL WILL SEE…..BEST OF LUCK
By JAMES P MILLIGAN
July 31, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this
THE GRIFFEY FAMILY WILL GO DOWN AS ONE OF THE GREATEST BASEBALL FAMILY’S THAT BASEBALL WILL SEE…..BEST OF LUCK
By Joe
July 31, 2008 9:22 PM | Link to this
My feelings for Griffey were somewhat ambivilent. I hope he gets the World Series ring he deserves. Just think what his 8 years would have been like without his injuries. He definitely was thin-skinned and seemed to have rabbit ears. I now have a team to root for in the AL. Nothing would be better than for the ChiSox to win another title and the Cubbies go down.
By Bob
July 31, 2008 8:37 PM | Link to this
Griffey is one of the best players of all time. Sometimes you can come home and live the dream, sometimes you cannot. It was just not meant to be. I wish him nothing but the best and I hope he wins it all for the Sox. I will remember his time here fondly. Best wishes.
By judy
July 31, 2008 8:37 PM | Link to this
Ken Griffey, Jr is a class act and a gentleman. He’ll be missed in Cincinnati. What a beautiful swing.
By Deaner
July 31, 2008 7:52 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the inside look Hal. I have never wavered in my support for Junior - he will always remain on the top of my list of favorite Reds. Cincinnati and Reds fans never gave Junior the respect or appreciation that he deserved. I hope we get to see him in the World Series this year.
By Y-City Jim
July 31, 2008 7:21 PM | Link to this
I’m unclear here. Where did the death threats generate from - fans in Seattle because he was leaving or fans in Cincinnati because he was coming?
By DuberDucky
July 31, 2008 7:03 PM | Link to this
Matt has FINALLY found a friend and ally — Dink!
By Matt
July 31, 2008 6:26 PM | Link to this
Other people see where I’m coming from on here. Sorry your a victim of the personal attack and smear machine, Dick. Some people just don’t get it, and revel in their ignorance. It’s good that we have real, intelligent Reds fans on this site to help balance out some of that blatant ignorance from so-called Reds fans.
By Dave D.
July 31, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this
Hey Dink, sorry you’re so easily confusned. BTW, did you hear the NEWSFLASH!!? Griffey pulls hamstring boarding plane for Chicago!
By Dick
July 31, 2008 6:01 PM | Link to this
Hey Dave. I am all grown up. Especially mature enough not to depend on one’s Zodiac sign to tell what kind of person he or she should be. Oh by the way confusing doesn’t have the 2nd ‘n’ it it. Have a good day, Dave.
By kellyb
July 31, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this
I am an Ohioan that lives in the Chi. When people ask me if I am a Sox fan or Cubs fan I always replied a Ken Griffey Jr. fan. Now we know which team that I will root for now. The best of two worlds in my city now. Ken I look forward in seeing you!!!!!!!
By Dave D.
July 31, 2008 5:21 PM | Link to this
Oh Dick, grow up! We all know he’s a Scorpio! You’re just confusning a patholgical, sometimes fatal, malignant, invasive growth or tumorous condition with what people meant regarding Griffey as something that spreads destructively, as a blight. You know, like a crappy pouty attitude of entitlement.
By Dick
July 31, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this
For you all that refer to Jr. as being a “cancer”, you are all out of line and I am shocked that this newspaper would let anyone use such a word describing a person, be it Ken Griffey Jr. or your next door neighbor. Being a Cancer survivor myself and being blessed to be alive and loosing my father to Cancer I find it disgusting that any human being no matter how much they dislike a professional athlete to refer to them as a “cancer”.
By Dick
July 31, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this
Everybody is an expert! What Ken Griffey accomplished here in Cincinnati with the serious injuries (ask any Doctor who specializes in sports medicine that it is close to a miracle that he has done what he has done) and for his career and by doing it the RIGHT WAY, not by injecting or using illegal drugs to cheat. Anybody with an ounce of common sense that loves the game of baseball should be appreciative of what Ken Griffey Jr. has done for baseball. I wish him well in Chicago. Thanks for your time in Cincy Jr!
By nick w
July 31, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this
fans like mrw are the reason why griffey said he liked playing on the road rather then home. The things fans said at the game to him theres no wonder he didn’t like to play here. Im happy he got out of here so he could go to a place that might actually respect him. I bet u wouldn’t last five minutes in griffeys shoes. I can’t even imagine what he went through here, every night fans yelling at him and he still came out and played every night. U look at manny talking about how the red sox are treating him bad and saying all these things about the red sox, u never heard that from griffey so give the man some respect and don’t saying things like that when u have no idea what ur talking about!!
By Gary Maloy Jr
July 31, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
I’m wondering about this AAA second baseman who has played at the major league level. Might the Reds be considering moving Brandon Phillips to shortstop? Hairston/Keppinger/Freel/Richar at 2nd? Just a thought… For the sake of our collective sanity, please Mr. Jocketty - PLEASE release RELEASE, I SAY!!!, Corey Patterson. Move Jay Bruce to right field and call for one of the kids from Louisville to play centerfield. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE
By bigdoc1
July 31, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this
Amen to Griff-fan!!
By Griff-fan
July 31, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this
You are a jackass, mrw! What do you expect out of athletes today? Do you want him to come play catch with your kids? Buy you a house? And how do you know that he is a “cancer” in the clubhouse? Do you work for the Reds in some capacity? Or are you just parroting what others say? So, Griffey didn’t live up to his ability… that’s all injuries, nothing else. Don’t condemn someone because they aren’t what YOU think they should be. Jackass.
By mrw
July 31, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this
A Cancer is on it’s way to Chicago. It afflicted the Reds for 9 years. The cancer manifests itself in young impressionable players, who watch a Hall of Fame player and try and emulate him. The problem? He’s lazy and does not do what it takes to win. I watched the White Sox play a series in Cincy, last year or the year before. What a magnificant team that is, they hustle and play smart baseball. Griffey will change that, just like he did in Cincy. Chicago say goodbye to your season.
By bigdoc
July 31, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this
Splendid journalism, Hal! Far deeper inside the story than anyone!
By MAC
July 31, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this
Hal, could you clarify the business (money) end of this deal please. Just what did the Reds avoid by trading Jr. and who’s paying what now? Likewise, could the addition to the BP pitcher open up more trade opportunities later on, or is this guy just a throw in?