Something’s Not Right…

Just looking at this photo makes me somewhat ill.  I understand why it had to happen, but that does not make it hurt any less.

AP

600

Congratulations Ken Griffey Jr.

Joe Posnanski has a great article that gave me chills.

I’ll be at the game tonight to welcome him home (as well as to honor Joe Nuxhall)

Philly Fans Show Class

Have those words ever been written?

I have to give some props to the sellout crowd at Citizens Bank Park last night.  During the 8th inning, they stood and gave a rousing ovation for Ken Griffey Jr. as he stood in for a pinch-hit at-bat.  Griffey walked, and the fans actually booed thier own players, in a one run game, for not pitching to Griffey. 

For people known to be incredibly harsh toward the opposition, as well as the infamous incident with Sata Claus at old Veterans Stadium, it was nice to see Griffey getting some love outside of Cincinnati.  It was  very reminincent of the scene in St. Louis where Junior hit his 500th home run in 2005.

It would be nice to see and hear this type of display in GABP when the Reds return from the roadtrip, even if Junior hits his 600th home run on the road.

Quotable Reds

If their quotes are any sort of indication that the Reds have a little life left in them, Ken Griffey Jr. and David Weathers have some interesting words for the media and the team.

David Weathers was upset with Jeff Brantely when he called the team “quitters”.   Via the Enquirer and beat writer John Fay, Weathers lamented that he was upset with the Reds on Radio broadcaster about his comments following Sunday’s loss (and ass-kicking) at the hands of the Atlanta Braves.

“All I said if this easy to play baseball, he should find a uniform and play,” Weathers said. “I was basically was taking up for my teammates. I heard some comments that he thought guys were quitting. I didn’t feel that way. It’s easy to say that when things are going tough for a team. It’s easy to dog-pile. I felt like he was doing that.”

Brantley was called out last year by Todd Coffey when Jeff said something about Coffey “trying to pitch with one hand around your neck”. Ouch.

While brutal in nature, Brantley’s comments are exactly what the Reds have been lacking in the clubhouse for many years.  When is the last time we have heard a player go on a tirade? How about a manager?  When is the last time a Cincinnati pitcher has plunked a batter because he gets way too many hits off of Reds pitching (see Bill Hall)?

It is not the job of the radio announcer to fire you up. You should be able to do it on your own.

In other news, Ken Griffey Junior told USA Today that he wants to be on a contender.

“My situation is different only 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.”

It may be necessary to move Griffey before the trade deadline or not pick up his $16mil one year option.