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Griffey willing to give right field a try

 

Manager Jerry Narron: 'He wants to do what's best for the Cincinnati Reds.

 

By Hal McCoy

Staff Writer

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

 

CINCINNATI ? The expected news is that Ken Griffey Jr. remains on schedule to be ready for spring training. The unexpected news is that right field may be in his future for the Cincinnati Reds.

 

Griffey and manager Jerry Narron have talked about the possibility of Griffey switching to right field and Griffey is open-minded about the possibility.

 

"Griffey is very open to doing what he can do to be on the field more," Narron said. "He realizes that Kirby Puckett moved (to right field) and that Cal Ripken, Jr. moved to third base.

 

"He wants to do what is best for the Cincinnati Reds," Narron added. "He realizes that to be on the field more he has to change positions."

 

Before moving, Griffey wants to be certain somebody better can play center field, the position Griffey has played since signing his first major-league contract in 1987.

 

Narron probably will play Ryan Freel and others in center and have Griffey play some right field the first couple weeks of spring training.

 

Said Narron, "If we started spring training tomorrow, Griffey would be in center field, but right field in spring training is a possibility.

 

"He was deeply disappointed that he missed September (dislocated toe on his right foot) in that we came so close and he wasn't able to help," Narron added. "I don't like to talk about what my players and I talk about, but I was very pleased with the way he sounded when we talked about this some late last year."

 

When the Reds report in mid-February, Griffey will be ready to play, according to team medical director Dr. Tim Kremchek.

 

X-rays showed that Griffey's broken left hand is healing as anticipated, and the hard cast was removed and replaced by a removable splint that the Reds' outfielder will wear for two weeks.

 

Griffey broke his hand three weeks ago while playing with his son, Trey, at their Florida home.

 

"It truly was nothing sinister," said Griffey's Cincinnati-based agent, Brian Goldberg. "It was a family thing, playing in the backyard with his kids and has nothing to do with a dirt bike. He wants to tell all the beat writers at one time what happened."

 

Contact this reporter at [email protected].

So do Freel or Denorfia have what it takes to get the Griffey seal of approval?

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So do Freel or Denorfia have what it takes to get the Griffey seal of approval?

Chris Denorifa is a REALLY GOOD defensive CFer. Playing him in RF (Denorfia that is) basically diminishes all his value. There is no reason why he shouldn't be our CF will Freel playing there 2-3 times a week also. With all due respect to Griffey, I don't know why he has the final decision on the matter. I hope he moves to RF though.

With all due respect to Griffey, I don't know why he has the final decision on the matter. I hope he moves to RF though.

 

Because he's Ken Griffey Jr.?

Thoughts of Griffey playing anything but center field are just not right.

He need to move to rightfield. It should reduce his chance of injuries, but knowing Griffey, he'll find a way.

Thoughts of Griffey playing anything but center field are just not right.

 

At this point in his career, Griffey playing center is just not right.

At this point in his career, Griffey playing center is just not right.

Agreed. The Yanks went through something like this with Bernie. Obviously not exactly the same situation, but similar. Griffey needs to face the fact that father time is catching up. Like Stork said, the move might keep him in the lineup longer with a lot less physical demand out in RF.

No shame in moving to RF...Junior is a team guy if it's better for the team why not

Griffey willing to give right field a try

 

"He wants to do what is best for the Cincinnati Reds," Narron added. "He realizes that to be on the field more he has to change positions."

 

Before moving, Griffey wants to be certain somebody better can play center field, the position Griffey has played since signing his first major-league contract in 1987.

 

The part that concerns me is the part in bold. I would think that if Griffey was being sincere, he wouldn't have this caveat. There is no denying his greatness but like Kirby and Ripken before him, he needs to understand that he isn't the same player in 2007 that he was in 1997.

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