February 19, 200422 yr SARASOTA, Fla. -- Ken Griffey Jr. reported to the Cincinnati Reds' camp on Wednesday, getting an early start in hopes that his season won't come to another premature end. Griffey, 34, dislocated his right shoulder while diving for a fly ball in the first week of last season, then returned and tore a tendon in his right ankle. Both injuries have healed following surgery. The center fielder and five other position players, all coming off major injuries, have permission to work out along with pitchers and catchers this week. Griffey was upbeat on Wednesday when he showed up at the Reds' complex. Pitchers and catchers had physicals, and will hold their first workout on Thursday. "If I could just get through April or May, I'll be all right," Griffey said. For the last three years, he hasn't even made it to May. Griffey tore a hamstring late in spring training during 2001, when he was limited to 111 games. He tore a tendon in his right knee while rounding third base in the sixth game of the 2002 season, when he appeared in only 70 games. Last year, he hurt his shoulder in the fifth game of the season. He missed 32 games, returned and tore up his ankle while rounding a base on July 17. Griffey then had surgery on the shoulder and the ankle. He recently started running, and has hit in a batting cage a few times without problem. The Reds plan to ease him into workouts this spring. Outfielders Adam Dunn, Reggie Taylor and Austin Kearns and infielders Brandon Larson and Felipe Lopez also are in camp early to work through their season-ending injuries from the Reds' 93-loss 2003 season. The rest of the position players will have their first workout next Tuesday. It will be a while before Griffey is doing everything full-speed. "I'll do some little things," he said. "They say they're going to take it easy on me." Griffey appeared in a career-low 53 games last season, hitting only .247 with 13 home runs. He's eager to get back to playing, but has no special feelings about returning from one of his toughest seasons. "It's the same," he said. "It's just wanting to get back out there and be with your teammates. Last year was a messed-up year for all of us."
February 19, 200422 yr one of the greatest players i ever saw. i dont care how many people trash him when healthy the guy can play the game...
February 19, 200422 yr With all this talk about 'roids lately, makes one wonder whether that is behind his rash of injuries.
February 19, 200422 yr He never seemed to get any bigger though. When he was in his mid-20s in his prime you could tell he was just very well conditioned.
February 19, 200422 yr Ken Griffey Jr. OF CIN Signed Feb 2000 - 9 years/$116.5M 2000: $12.5M [$5.5M of 2000 salary deferred until 2009+]2001: $12.5M [$6.5M from subsequent years deferred until 2009-2024] 2002: $12.5M 2003: $12.5M 2004: $12.5M 2005: $12.5M 2006: $12.5M 2007: $12.5M 2008: $12.5M 2009: Team option with $4.0M buyout
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