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CINCINNATI — Ken Griffey Jr. found himself defending himself and his team after a couple of juicy quotes appeared in a long feature story about him in USA Today.

He wandered far and wide Tuesday, May 6, in a discourse about his future and the current state of the Cincinnati Reds.

One nebulous quote was that he loved Seattle and wouldn't mind retiring there, which some again construed as him saying he wanted to be traded to Seattle.

Not true.

"I said the exact same thing last year (when the Reds played in Seattle)," said Griffey. "I said it like (NFL great) Emmitt Smith."

Smith signed a one-day contract with the Dallas Cowboys so he could retire in a Cowboys cap, and last year Griffey said he wouldn't mind doing that with the Mariners — not play for the ballclup, just sign a one-day contract and retire.

"The exact same thing I said last year, so why is it such a big story now?" Griffey asked, lounging on a black couch, his eyes on a TV showing old NBA reels.

About a possible trade, Griffey told USA Today, "We either turn things around or they start getting rid of everybody around here. My situation is different because I can tell them where I want to go. I want to be in position to win a championship. I'm not strong-arming anybody, but that's the way it is."

Griffey said Tuesday that was not a threat or a demand. He says his focus is on the present and the plight of his team and teammates.

"The important thing is getting back on track," he said. "I can't worry about what-ifs. Everybody understands what is going on around here. Why wouldn't we think we can turn things around? Some guys are making some great plays.

"If we were 15 games above .500 and hit this streak of somewhat bad luck, would anybody say anything? No," he said.

But the team isn't 15 above .500 and it shows no signs of being able to even scramble back to .500, let alone 15 over.

"Everybody is in a panic, and we have five months of baseball left," he said. "The biggest thing is we need to relax as a team and go play baseball. Everybody wants to win so bad that sometimes it hurts. The guys in here want to play and turn this thing around and want to make this the talk of the town, and not in a negative way, like it is now."

Griffey has heard the remarks that some of the players, including him, have quit. "There is not a lack of effort and nobody has quit on this team and nobody in here will allow that to happen," he said. "And there isn't anybody worried about a damn contract. No matter how much money you make, it doesn't help you between the lines."

Both Griffey and Dunn are in their final contract years, although the Reds hold an option on Griffey.

As for moving on, Griffey said, "If they come to you as a player and say, 'We might want to do something,' what do you say? My dad has three championship rings. That's what it's about."

General Manager Walt Jocketty said the team isn't driving stakes in the ground with "FIRE SALE" signs on them. Not yet.

"Trade talks are premature and I've had no trade talks with (Griffey)," Jocketty said, realizing that as a player who has played 10 seasons, the last five with the same team, Griffey can say no to any trade. "I'm not saying it couldn't happen, but it hasn't at this point. We've basically made introductory talks with other teams to talk about what they have available and what we're trying to do."

Griffey said his concerns are between the lines.

"All you're concerned about is how you play and there's a sense of pride," he said. "If you don't care, why are you here? The guys in this locker room care about how they play, day in and day out.

Griffey's realizes there is feedback from the fans when they see him, Adam Dunn and Brandon Phillips smile when they strike out.

"Everybody is saying, 'He struck out and he smiled. He doesn't care.' That's bull," said Griffey. "What's the alternative? Go tear up the whole locker room because you're mad? Sometimes you have to laugh it off instead of crying. Sometimes you just relax and smile, because sometimes a smile can help relax you and everybody in else."

Griffey, though, wasn't smiling at this moment.

"Hey, nobody else's name is on the back of my bubblegum card but mine. That's my picture on the front. I have to go play as hard as I can and everything else will take care of itself. If I don't, then something MIGHT happen.

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