As the flowers start to bloom around Grounds, the birds chirp away and the sun finally provides needed warmth after a long, cold winter, it is safe to say that spring is finally in the air. That can only mean one thing for sports fans: Opening Day is just around the corner.
Sunday, March 30, Major League Baseball will throw out its first pitch when Texas travels to Anaheim to face the defending World Champion Angels and their beloved Rally Monkey. This season's Spring Training has not suffered from a lack of newsworthy stories. Whether it is the debate over Ephedra or Dodgers pitcher Guillermo Mota running from Mets catcher Mike Piazza like he was a bull in Pamplona, there has been much intrigue in the Cactus and Grapefruit Leagues. Among the most recent rumors is the scandal involving George Steinbrenner attempting to buy the Minnesota Twins organization to serve as a Quadruple-A farm club for the Bronx Bombers rather than allow the Twins to be contracted.
However, there is one story I find extremely fascinating, and that is the rise and fall (and potential rise again) of Ken Griffey, Jr. It is difficult to believe that the Cincinnati outfielder is entering his 14th season in the big leagues. What is even harder to comprehend is how this 33-year old Red has fallen so fast.
Griffey, nicknamed "The Kid" while with the Mariners, was arguably the game's greatest player during the 1990s. He won an American League Gold Glove for his unparalleled defensive abilities in centerfield every year that decade. Except for his injury-shortened season in 1995, Griffey hit over 40 homeruns each season from 1993-1999.
During a four-year span from 1996-1999, "Junior" averaged over 50 homers, 30 doubles, 120 RBIs and 120 runs a season. He won the American League MVP in 1997 and was named Male Athlete of the Year in 1998 by the ESPYs.
Many predicted that Griffey would not only break, but shatter Hank Aaron's career homerun mark of 755. Some went as far to say that Griffey established his place among the three or four greatest players to ever put on a pair of cleats.
Along with his amazing on-the-field performance, Griffey and his endearing smile finished first in every popularity contest. His jersey outsold every competitor and he was frequently the top vote-receiver in the All-Star balloting. He and his game seemed on top of the world.
And what did Griffey want? Just to go home.
After the 1999 season, Griffey refused to return to Seattle and instead was traded to his hometown of Cincinnati where he grew up watching his father win titles with the "Big Red Machine" of the 1970s. At first, it seemed like a dream situation --- the league's number one superstar returning home to lead his childhood favorites back to the playoffs. Unfortunately for Griffey and the Reds, the honeymoon was a short one.
Plagued by injuries to his hamstring and knees, Griffey has yet to enjoy a quality season like the one's he routinely had in Seattle. Over the past two seasons, Griffey's production plummeted so drastically that many Reds fans believed "The Kid" should be riding the pine. During the 2002 season, only Griffey had eight homeruns, 23 RBIs and one stolen base in 70 games. His average was a career-low .264.
In what would have seemed incomprehensible only four years ago, the Reds attempted to trade Griffey for Padres third basemen Phil Nevin during the offseason. The trade fell through as Nevin nixed the deal according to a no-trade clause in his contract.
So how has Griffey responded to the lack of love from his boyhood city? Well, that's the question on everyone's mind. So far, Griffey looks to be on the upswing after two miserable seasons. He's batting .371 with six homers and 16 RBIs this spring. Many around Griffey are quick to point out that he has worked harder this offseason than at any other point in his career.
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