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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 > August > 02 > Entry
Griffey thanks Reds fans
Two days after his trade to the Chicago White Sox, Ken Griffey Jr. sent a message back to Cincinnati through his Cincinnati-based agent, Brian Goldberg.
The message was all-encompassing in expressing his appreciation for his nine years with the Reds. And he also apologized for his actions and words expressed last Saturday toward broadcaster Jeff Brantley after he homered and made a throat-cutting gesture toward the broadcast booth.
The message:
“I would like to thank the Cincinnati Reds organization for allowing me to fulfill a lifelong dream of playing for my hometown team. I will always value the lasting friendships I have with the Lindner, Castellini and Williams families.
“While my nine seasons there were filled with personal highlights — like hitting my 400th, 500th and 600th home runs in a Reds uniform — and the negatives of having to fight through too many injuries, my biggest regret is that we were not able to win a world championship while I was there.
“I also would like to thank my many teammates, managers, coaches and Reds employees for their help and support and to acknowledge the many friendly relationships I had with most of the members of the local media. I will miss the banter.
“Last, but certainly not least, I would like to thank Reds fans for their support. I really do understand that the overwhelming majority of fans wanted so badly for me to succeed. Additionally, I would like to sincerely apologize to those fans offended by my wrongful actions last Saturday night. It was an overreaction on my part to what I felt was a series of public inaccurate and unfair remarks about me.”
“I wish nothing but success for the Reds both on and off the field.”
Sincerely, Ken Griffey Jr.
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By michael
August 8, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this
Always a class act!Never a JR Hater here, just didn’t think he earned his paycheck. I do wish him the best.
By Tom
August 3, 2008 8:47 AM | Link to this
Griffey is a class act, as these comments and those made to Marty Brennaman show. We wish we could have seen you healthy the whole time and that there would have a supporting cast while you were here. Best wishes and we hope to see you in October - you deserve it!
By Jimmy1Time
August 2, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this
Good bye old friend. You will be missed along with that swing of yours. Best of luck to you and your nice life after baseball. Sure will miss that swing when you and the rest of us know it was GONE! Go White Sox!
By deb
August 2, 2008 10:53 PM | Link to this
What a class act!!! Someone earlier said it- Junior didn’t have to send that letter…It takes a man of character…I also will be following him in Chicago and wishing him the best!!! He really will be missed!!
By Wizard
August 2, 2008 9:51 PM | Link to this
Nice comments from a once great player; who will be recognized as one of the all-time greats.
By Y-City Jim
August 2, 2008 9:18 PM | Link to this
C.C. Sabathia did something similar by placing this ad in the Cleveland Plain Dealer: http://www.cleveland.com/sports/wide/index.ssf?/sports/wide/cc_ad.html
By Matt
August 2, 2008 8:57 PM | Link to this
Right back at ya, Griff. I wish Junior nothing but the best, and I will be pulling like hell for him and the White Sox the rest of this season, and, hopefully the postseason, culminating with a World Series victory. Junior has accomplished everything else in his career but that. Go get ‘em Junior, and God bless you for being the man that you are, and the player that you have been and are today.
By rob
August 2, 2008 8:07 PM | Link to this
Wasn’t Griffey’s fault that Bowden was a bumbling fool, or that the likes of Jimmy Haynes, Joey Hamilton, Cory Lidle, Eric Milton et. al. were considered top of the rotation starters. He didn’t have all those injuries on purpose. In Chicago he will be one piece of the puzzle and I look for him to be re-energized the last two months. I’ll be checking the White Sox box scores on a regular basis.
By K
August 2, 2008 7:38 PM | Link to this
I agree, too. It’s endearing to see an athlete express remorse, regret, and yet gratitude in such a concise statement. I have nothing but respect for Junior, because even with all his injuries, he still hit over 600 homers, without using steroids. What a difference between him and Bonds. Good luck Junior! I will miss you.
By Brarhopper
August 2, 2008 7:33 PM | Link to this
Great goodbye and thank you letter from a class guy, Ken Griffey Jr. And what a classless and very unecessary cheap shot comment from you bigdoc…ya big dog!
By Deaner
August 2, 2008 7:20 PM | Link to this
I wish that some of the not-so-classy people would stop posting comments on Hal’s blog. It really takes away from the enjoyment of reading what Mr. McCoy has to say.
By Deaner
August 2, 2008 7:15 PM | Link to this
Nothin’ but class, Junior. I’ve always been a fan and always will be. Thanks for coming to Cincinnati!
By Mike
August 2, 2008 7:13 PM | Link to this
Excellent..nice letter..he didn’t have to do it!
By Ken
August 2, 2008 7:00 PM | Link to this
I agree very classy.
By bigdoc
August 2, 2008 6:45 PM | Link to this
Classy and appropriate! ‘Haters’ keep quiet for once. It’s over—the guys gone.