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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 > June > 09 > Entry
Griffey: Call him Mr. 600
He not only did it his his way, he did it the right way.
When home run No. 600 splashed down among a splattering of fans in the orange seats inside the right-field foul pole of Dolphin Stadium at 7:22 Monday night, Ken Griffey Jr. etched his name in history and he did it with a clean pen.
Griffey’s name never has appeared on a police blotter — not even for spitting on a sidewalk or jaywalking, has never been listed among those who cheated to gain an unfair advantage, has never been listed on any delinquent tax lists or bankruptcy lists for flushing his money away on drugs.
As his current manager, Dusty Baker says, “There is no cloud of suspicion over his head. Should he be held in higher esteem than he is? Yes. And I’m sure he will be down the road.”
He has played in more pain than any player should have to endure and he did it without complaint or excuse. He has rebuilt knees and brackets and pins and plates embedded in every nook and cranny of his body. Three screws in his tailbone keeps his hamstring attached to the bone, six screws hold his shoulders in place, “And I used to have five screws in my elbow.”
Baker didn’t know all that until recently, when he saw Griffey and his battered body in the training room.
“I’m surprised he can go through the airport metal detectors without setting something off. He must really love the game, because he doesn’t need the money,” said Baker. “He has gone through a lot of pain and suffering. I have to damn near drag him out of the lineup.”
Injuries between 2000 and 2005 cost him nearly 450 games games since he arrived in Cincinnati or Monday’s home run might have been No. 700.
He has never complained, “Because I don’t deal in ‘what-ifs,’ ” he said.
His name is found only near the top of most offensive baseball statistics and on any list of Best Father-Husband. He has given his time and his financial resources to help the less fortunate, without standing in front of TV cameras pounding his chest. He prefers anonymity.
He has been ejected only three times, “All for balls and strikes,” and he has never been suspended, “Because when there is a fight I’m too busy laughing.”
And now he is among six players who have hit 600 home runs, one of only four without a sniff of talk about steroids or human growth hormone. That stigma is attached to Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa, but not Griffey, Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron or Willie Mays.
Through it all, Griffey has not changed.
“I knew him when he was a little kid,” said Baker. “He’s the same guy I knew as a kid, except for a lot more scars and like most of us he has gained some weight.”
It is difficult to coax Griffey into talking about himself, especially his accomplishments.
Asked if he knew how close he was to Sammy Sosa, Griffey thought for a moment and said, “Uh, 609. And I only know that because they keep flashing it up on the scoreboard. I just want to be the same guy, day in and day out, a guy trying to get this team on track and get some wins.”
The sincerity is legitimate.
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Comments
By seriously?
June 11, 2008 6:00 AM | Link to this
Junior is a has been. He was great with the Mariners and has been a cancer for the Reds since coming to town. He ruined Larkin with his attitude and he is holding back the Reds success by being there. Not a Reds fan, but it’s been easy to see. Ok, he hit #600, good for him, why more press than the others, and don’t feed me the steroid crap. He’s no different than the others because it still takes the remarkable skill to put bat on ball and have the right swing to hit a home run, not just the strength to muscle it out. He’s done it, good, let the baseball world move on to better things.By mike
June 10, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this
Can you imagine the succss the Mariners would have had if Junior, Randy Johnson and Alex Rodriguez stayed there ??By mike
June 10, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this
Can you imagine the succss the Mariners would have had if Junior, Randy Johnson and Alex Rodriguez stayed there ??By Bruce
June 10, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this
Congrats Griffey Jr. You are the epitome of a true power hitter. One who does it legitimately. I am such a big fan that I named my son Griffey Aaron Dye.By margo
June 10, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this
Way to go, Ken Griffey, Jr. I am so proud of you for choosing to do it the right way. You continue to be a role model for young kids like my son.By ron
June 10, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this
ken griffey you are the type of ball player and person the world needs more of.By Gary
June 10, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this
I hope all of the haters will not shut the hell up! This manBy tom
June 10, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this
Ken Griffey is a class individual.as well as a great great baseball player the reds should consider themselves lucky to have such a person on their team. He should retire a red.By tom
June 10, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this
Ken Griffey is a class individual.as well as a great great baseball player the reds should consider themselves lucky to have such a person on their team. He should retire a red.By tom
June 10, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this
Ken Griffey is a class individual.as well as a great great baseball player the reds should consider themselves lucky to have such a person on their team. He should retire a red.By Mike
June 10, 2008 8:18 AM | Link to this
Most people as Hal stated..don’t know the severity of all the injuries over the years. These have no doubt compromised his performances. I echo with all fans…. Congratulations!..he did it the right way. In these days, it is refreshing to find a true role model..Congratulations..now let’s go for Sosa & #610!By mike
June 10, 2008 8:15 AM | Link to this
I must say I had never heard Jr. speak much. But in his press conference I developed a lot of respect for him. I heard a really fun humble great MAN. Not like the bums that seem to be the superstars of todayBy mike
June 10, 2008 8:15 AM | Link to this
I must say I had never heard Jr. speak much. But in his press conference I developed a lot of respect for him. I heard a really fun humble great MAN. Not like the bums that seem to be the superstars of todayBy bill
June 10, 2008 7:25 AM | Link to this
How many juicers are on the 600 home run list?By tim
June 10, 2008 5:54 AM | Link to this
Hi Hal, Congratulations to Ken Griffey Jr. for his 600th home run. How do you rank him as a player among the other players who have hit 600 in their careers?By HuberTucky
June 9, 2008 11:23 PM | Link to this
Griffey is a class act and a good man, husband, father and son, and I presume, teammate. Compare that to Bonds who has no business being mentioned in the same breath. Even at ASU, Bonds teammates hated him for his me me me attitude — which NEVER left him. Griffey is a humble hero. Bonds goes in the record book with a cloud and an asterisk…as a class A scumbag and self-centered punk.By null
June 9, 2008 10:26 PM | Link to this
Congratulations and Amen! Now…let the trade talks begin.By Lang
June 9, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this
Way to go Junior!! Great to see your name up there with Hank and the Babe. Hope you accomplish much more before you call it quits. Kudos also to the Phillies and Marlins fans for the show of well-deserved respect!By Bryan Rodgers
June 9, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this
Class, class, class! Congratulations Junior!!!By Coach
June 9, 2008 9:14 PM | Link to this
Well done Mr. Griffey! A standing “O” is in order—Tuesday!By bigdoc
June 9, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this
Fine words! Worthy of the deed! Excellent perspective!By rusty
June 9, 2008 8:23 PM | Link to this
congrats to the kidBy Jason
June 9, 2008 8:13 PM | Link to this
In an age where so many records and milestones are shrouded in doubt and uncertainty, it is refreshing to see Junior’s professionalism and respect for the game, and also himself, shine on. Many happy congrats, Junior!By Y-City Jim
June 9, 2008 8:12 PM | Link to this
Congrats, KGJ!!! The 600+ club just got a lot classier.