May 28, 200422 yr ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Hoping to add some offensive pop, the Tampa Bay Devils Rays called up veteran first baseman/designated hitter Fred McGriff from AAA Durham Friday. Tampa Bay signed the 40-year-old McGriff to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training, but he was reassigned to minor league camp when the season began. After working out on his own, he joined Durham May 20, batting .250 with a home run, four RBI and five walks in six games. The Tampa native is just nine home runs shy of becoming the 20th player in major league history to hit 500 homers. He played for the Rays from their inception in 1998 until he was traded to the Chicago Cubs in 2001. He is the club's all-time leader in most offensive categories, including batting average (.295), home runs (95) and RBI (352). The five-time All-Star was slowed by injuries last year that limited him to 86 games, 13 home runs and 40 RBI for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is a lifetime .285 hitter over 19 major league seasons with the Blue Jays, Padres, Braves, Rays, Cubs and Dodgers. To make room for McGriff, outfielder Jonny Gomes was optioned to Durham. The Rays open a weekend series at home against the New York Yankees Friday night. http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/8786591.htm
May 28, 200422 yr I wish the Crime Dog well, even though I don't think he's a hall of famer, even if he reaches 500 homers. But good luck to him, we will see if he has anything left.
May 28, 200422 yr I was wondering were this guy was. Why would a team like the D-Rays have McGriff in the Minors. This guy a good veteran hitter.
May 28, 200422 yr Anyone who hits 500 should be a HOFer. McGriff was hurt and it has been said he needed to get his bat speed up, thats why he was in the minors. Dont the D-Rays have Tino already at 1st though?
May 28, 200422 yr Dont the D-Rays have Tino already at 1st though? he's DHing Hopefully he will be batting 9th then...
May 28, 200422 yr Dont the D-Rays have Tino already at 1st though? he's DHing Hopefully he will be batting 9th then... why?
May 28, 200422 yr Dont the D-Rays have Tino already at 1st though? he's DHing Hopefully he will be batting 9th then... why? Usually you put your worst batter in the 9 hole.....
May 28, 200422 yr Dont the D-Rays have Tino already at 1st though? he's DHing Hopefully he will be batting 9th then... why? Usually you put your worst batter in the 9 hole..... i know that, why do you care if he's their worst hitter or not?
May 28, 200422 yr What I meant was, I hope they dont think he is going to be the player of old or be a clean-up guy. Put him at 9th so he doesn't make a fool of himself or dissapoint.
May 28, 200422 yr What I meant was, I hope they dont think he is going to be the player of old or be a clean-up guy. Put him at 9th so he doesn't make a fool of himself or dissapoint. ok that's true i'm not sure if he can get to 500, but i hope he does
May 29, 200422 yr What I meant was, I hope they dont think he is going to be the player of old or be a clean-up guy. Put him at 9th so he doesn't make a fool of himself or dissapoint. ok that's true i'm not sure if he can get to 500, but i hope he does I hope he does as well. I hope he doesn't press it or he will never get there. Let the game come to you, Fred. Here's to 500 for the Crime Dog! :cheers
May 29, 200422 yr Author Last night on BBTN they said he was 8 homers away from 500, I think he can do it by the end of the season. I'm sure he will retire once he hits 500.
May 29, 200422 yr Last night on BBTN they said he was 8 homers away from 500, I think he can do it by the end of the season. I'm sure he will retire once he hits 500. No doubt about it he will retire...he would be close to 62 next season...
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