—I finally have a reason to watch the Mariners again.
—Finally the Mariners will be good again.
—This team would have to be stupid NOT to give the fans what they want to see: Griffey in CF!
—Griffey is going to be rejuvenated by returning to his baseball home. He is going to have an amazing year!
—Griffey will hit 30-40 HRs for the team.
—It is like a real life version of The Natural . No way the Mariners don’t make the playoffs.
—About a month ago I dreamt I was at the World Series. I never dream about baseball. Except right before the 2001 season, when I saw the Mariners having an amazing season. I’m sure we are going to win the World Series, now that Griffey is back!
Not direct quotes but I have seen or heard these statements from several different people.
Everyone is excited and it is understandable to be excited. This site, USSM and all the “haters” were just trying to balance out this excitement with realistic expectations.
If we go into this understanding who the player is; we will not be disappointed when the player fails to live up to our fantasy.
Or stated in another way.
By knowing what to expect, we will be able to cheer the player in moments of triumph and take real joy in those rare moments when they rise above odds.
My folks have a place down in Arizona and they were going this weekend anyways.
She is going to stop off for practice and see if she can get a baseball signed. This could be the best time because the games have yet to start so the crowd will be really low, maybe 30-50 people tops. Plus, I am sure Griffey will be in a good mood being the first day back and all that.
He's gigantic, and was lured out of a football scholarship
Then he spent way too long in rookie ball, followed by an injury-riddled 2007.
He made big strides last year, which necessitated his protection, but with the emergence of Saunders, Halman and Wlad, it’s just tough to see where he’d play. I still think it’d be cool if they could somehow keep him, but I’d tend to doubt it.
Apparently hit some 500 foot HR in a practice game last spring.
I would love it if loud rock music started blaring, Frank Wren sauntered out and Griffey stood up, ripped off his shirt to reveal a Braves jersey and gave Zduriencik a piledriver.
It’s PETA! What are they doing here!?! and OH! NO! They’re just ganging up on him somebody stop them! OH! NO! Not the lawsuit! They’re dropping the lawsuit!
Ichiro makes wild accusations about the reporters heritage and their relationship with their parents.
However, if the reporter can stand for 3 days in a row at his locker; Ichiro will answer any question the reporter has, as long as the question does not end in a preposition.
Ok, just a disclaimer I could be wrong since I have only had one lesson in Japanese so far, and it was about a month ago.
uncomfortable in the actual press conference to start, getting sillier as it goes along, much looser in the one-on-ones depending on the person (teasing Niehaus, for example)
In related news, Betancourt weighed in at 184 pounds in Peoria, down from the 198 he posted a year ago, and the 195 he weighed in 2007. Some believe he was 205-ish for most of last season.
What I heard was Yuni was given the option to go down to work out with Raul or stay in Seattle and work with the team trainer. Either way, the team wanted to make sure Yuni would be working out during the winter.
They have already decided Griffey will be in left field when his legs feel fine. When baseball’s active leader with 611 home runs says he needs a break, he’ll be the DH.
Baker said in his video today that he doesn't think the M's are considering starting him in LF.
When you think about it, they’ve never said “He’s the left fielder” and when he signed Wakamatsu made a point to say he’s ok with being the DH, if I recall correctly.
Niehaus interviewed Griffey yesterday and asked about playing CF.
Griffey said he would play CF if the team really needed him too. He did not sound very excited about doing it.
After listening to Griffey yesterday I think he doesn’t want to think of himself as a DH. So he will think of himself as an Out Fielder who DHes when the team needs him to. It is a pride issue.
It really doesn’t matter what Griffey calls himself, LFer, DH/LF, Player/Coach, SuperStar!, as long as he trusts the manager to do what is best for the team.
The blog community’s guess that Griffey will appear in 5-20~ games (starts and spot appearances) in the OF will be close to correct.
I guess spotting him in the OF during Felix/Silva starts (and subbing in Endy lots in late innings defensively or as a PR) would be OK (read: suboptimal but not a disaster on the same scale as playing him when a flyball pitcher is on the mound)- but really, I think even 20 games in the OF is going to be kind of low (that’s less than once a week during the season). I think 1/3rd OF and 2/3rds DH is more realistic, and it could be even more.
Griffey .giffy!
It’s fun!
msb - February 20, 2009
I just hope that I wake up in time tomorrow to watch the Griffey press conference.
Coach Owens - February 20, 2009
This is one of the best posts ever
seattlebruin - February 20, 2009
I disagree with the points contended within this post
Corco - February 20, 2009
Great.
Now I’m going to have to find my OWN news.
section331 - February 20, 2009
Seriously
I think this post puts too much weight in the run values assigned by UZR.
Andersean - February 20, 2009
Never realized I had epilepsy until now, thanks for the diagnosis LL!
Kermit. - February 20, 2009
Remember two weeks ago when everyone here hated the idea of signing Griffey?
Its like this whole drawn-out negotiation process has gotten people way more interested in him.
vkut79 - February 20, 2009
Count me as one of them
mariners124m - February 20, 2009
I don't think most of us really hated the idea of signing Griffey
we just wanted to make sure that we realized that Griffey wasn’t going to be the savior that the casual fans seem to think he will be.
seattlebruin - February 21, 2009
On other sites
I have seen excited fans say things like:
—I finally have a reason to watch the Mariners again.
—Finally the Mariners will be good again.
—This team would have to be stupid NOT to give the fans what they want to see: Griffey in CF!
—Griffey is going to be rejuvenated by returning to his baseball home. He is going to have an amazing year!
—Griffey will hit 30-40 HRs for the team.
—It is like a real life version of The Natural . No way the Mariners don’t make the playoffs.
—About a month ago I dreamt I was at the World Series. I never dream about baseball. Except right before the 2001 season, when I saw the Mariners having an amazing season. I’m sure we are going to win the World Series, now that Griffey is back!
Not direct quotes but I have seen or heard these statements from several different people.
Everyone is excited and it is understandable to be excited. This site, USSM and all the “haters” were just trying to balance out this excitement with realistic expectations.
If we go into this understanding who the player is; we will not be disappointed when the player fails to live up to our fantasy.
Or stated in another way.
By knowing what to expect, we will be able to cheer the player in moments of triumph and take real joy in those rare moments when they rise above odds.
mark sobba - February 21, 2009
Another one I saw.
“Finally a superstar who isn’t all about the money…”
appleshampoo - February 21, 2009
Beautiful.
mark sobba - February 21, 2009
Well now that Griffey is only making that much anybody making above it is now considered a waste of talent and money.
Slurvey - February 22, 2009
Oh yeah, we definitely broke the bank on them.
Mariner John - February 22, 2009
"Bloated?"
BrettJMiller - February 23, 2009
It has been interesting to hear his former teammates
(aside from Barry Larkin) downplay expectations, and try to keep fans from expecting the 19 year old…
msb - February 21, 2009
you're right, hate is not the right word
vkut79 - February 21, 2009
I was afraid that he was going to get a really stupid contract.
BrianL - February 21, 2009
What is this GRIFFEY thing you speak of?
Big Jared - February 20, 2009
late
Shawk - February 20, 2009
My mom is going to the Griffey press conference.
My folks have a place down in Arizona and they were going this weekend anyways.
She is going to stop off for practice and see if she can get a baseball signed. This could be the best time because the games have yet to start so the crowd will be really low, maybe 30-50 people tops. Plus, I am sure Griffey will be in a good mood being the first day back and all that.
I will update if anything happens.
mark sobba - February 21, 2009
"No way the Mariners don’t make the playoffs"
Yeah. I remember my first beer, too…
section331 - February 21, 2009
Griffey press conference about to start.
Goose - February 21, 2009
Griffey confirms he will be wearing #24.
Goose - February 21, 2009
Can we get off of these stupid questions and ask how he feels about DHing?
BrianL - February 21, 2009
I was waiting for that too
cwel87 - February 21, 2009
We just put Michael Wilson on waivers
Wasn’t he kind of good? Or was he more of a AAAA player?
Scruffy Lefty - February 21, 2009
He was a kind of good AAAA player.
He might have been useful at some point, but probably not.
(I think marc w likes him and I am fully prepared to be torn a new one now.)
Aaron Campeau - February 21, 2009
I wouldn't do that.
I think he’s moderately intriguing, and I was looking forward to seeing him in Tacoma, but I’m not irate about this.
It’s not the move I would’ve made, but I understand it.
marc w - February 21, 2009
He was ranked as a marginal prospect on Dave's last Future Forty.
BrianL - February 21, 2009
The being 26 thing isn't really a mark in his favor.
Hey wait a minute…
Aaron Campeau - February 21, 2009
That and never having played above AA.
I don’t know much about him, but he doesn’t look too valuable.
Teej - February 21, 2009
He's gigantic, and was lured out of a football scholarship
Then he spent way too long in rookie ball, followed by an injury-riddled 2007.
He made big strides last year, which necessitated his protection, but with the emergence of Saunders, Halman and Wlad, it’s just tough to see where he’d play. I still think it’d be cool if they could somehow keep him, but I’d tend to doubt it.
Apparently hit some 500 foot HR in a practice game last spring.
marc w - February 21, 2009
Thanks for the info.
I was wondering what was up with the slow progression.
Teej - February 21, 2009
LaHarrible move.
Robert - February 21, 2009
You are Bryan too hard.
kentroyals5 - February 21, 2009
This is wonderful
seattlebruin - February 21, 2009
I think you need to play in AAA before you can be called a AAAA player.
Edgar for Pres - February 22, 2009
Griffey next career could be a personal assistant.
Scruffy Lefty - February 21, 2009
Griffey looks sad and/or apathetic at the press conference.
joof - February 21, 2009
Just not happy to be there
Looks like he would rather be practicing
Scruffy Lefty - February 21, 2009
Wakamatsu was smart enough to come up with an excuse to get out early.
Goose - February 21, 2009
GRIFFEY FOR LEADOFF
Scruffy Lefty - February 21, 2009
Weee the inevitable "stabilizing clubhouse force" question!
BrianL - February 21, 2009
Griffey plans on showing up at our houses, eating our food.
Hey, let’s talk about something interesting!
Goose - February 21, 2009
Man Griffey was awesome back then.
Scruffy Lefty - February 21, 2009
Griffey starting to argue with reporters
And so it begins.
Goose - February 21, 2009
Its always the dude in the glasses
Scruffy Lefty - February 21, 2009
I would love it if loud rock music started blaring, Frank Wren sauntered out and Griffey stood up, ripped off his shirt to reveal a Braves jersey and gave Zduriencik a piledriver.
Aaron Campeau - February 21, 2009
I would cheer!
Scruffy Lefty - February 21, 2009
AND HERE COMES HANK STEINBRENNER WITH A CHAIR!
Goose - February 21, 2009
AND BILLY BEANE!
WITH THE MOONSAULT!
Scruffy Lefty - February 21, 2009
WHATS THAT MUSIC???....OH MY GOD HE'S HERE! IT'S LARRY STONE!
STONE! STONE! STONE!
Goose - February 21, 2009
STONE 3:16 !!!!!
Scruffy Lefty - February 21, 2009
If you wanna see me write a well written article without interjecting my own retarded opinions, GIVE ME A HELL YEAH!
Goose - February 21, 2009
HELL YEAH!
Scruffy Lefty - February 21, 2009
Weird, the italics didn't show up, that was supposed to read
STONEcold! STONEcold! STONEcold!
Goose - February 21, 2009
Scruffy Lefty - February 21, 2009
Wait what the hell who's coming out !?!?!
It’s PETA! What are they doing here!?! and OH! NO! They’re just ganging up on him somebody stop them! OH! NO! Not the lawsuit! They’re dropping the lawsuit!
Slurvey - February 21, 2009
I'm laughing uncontrollably.
Teej - February 21, 2009
we need to find out who the dude in the glasses was.
msb - February 21, 2009
Waka now making fun of the reporters
Scruffy Lefty - February 21, 2009
Griffey admits to the cloning!
Goose - February 21, 2009
Boy if Ichiro was this combative with reporters
the media would have an absolute field day.
BrianL - February 21, 2009
He would probably get speared by Geoff Baker
Scruffy Lefty - February 21, 2009
Wonder what he is like with the Japanese press
msb - February 21, 2009
Ichiro curses a lot.
Ichiro makes wild accusations about the reporters heritage and their relationship with their parents.
However, if the reporter can stand for 3 days in a row at his locker; Ichiro will answer any question the reporter has, as long as the question does not end in a preposition.
Ok, just a disclaimer I could be wrong since I have only had one lesson in Japanese so far, and it was about a month ago.
mark sobba - February 21, 2009
Griffey has daddy issues
New LL meme?
Scruffy Lefty - February 21, 2009
These are seriously the worst questions.
okdan - February 21, 2009
Still not as bad as the nameless reporter
who asked Don Wakamatsu two or three questions about being the first Japanese-American manager in baseball.
BrianL - February 21, 2009
Wakamatsu has a good manager face.
Teej - February 21, 2009
Tomorrows headline
“Griffey kicks 6 year old son out of house”
Scruffy Lefty - February 21, 2009
Reporters trying to start with the steroid questions
Team tells them to STFU.
Goose - February 21, 2009
Thank god
Scruffy Lefty - February 21, 2009
Those people should be killed.
JI - February 21, 2009
So Ken Griffey Jr. is a funny guy...
JI - February 21, 2009
Anyone know if
the press conference is going to be posted on the web anywhere? I missed it.
appleshampoo - February 21, 2009
FSN is probably going to replay it
and I bet it will be archived on mlb.com at some point
JI - February 21, 2009
Its up at NWCN
here
msb - February 21, 2009
Hmm, I did not know Ken Griffey Sr. played in Gaylord Perry's 300th win game.
joof - February 21, 2009
Pretty classic day with the press for him
uncomfortable in the actual press conference to start, getting sillier as it goes along, much looser in the one-on-ones depending on the person (teasing Niehaus, for example)
msb - February 21, 2009
The only that annoyed me(aside from the crap questions) was that they didn't have him put on the uniform.
And he was wearing a ST hat. Lame.
Goose - February 21, 2009
You know, he always had his mom's bootay...
but he sure has filled out like his dad, now that he is almost 40.
msb - February 21, 2009
THE MAN WITH GLASSES!
I’m guessing its the fat guy in the red shirt.
Scruffy Lefty - February 21, 2009
Not one I recognise of the local guys
msb - February 21, 2009
Pretty Sure The Guy Right Behind The Incredibly Prominent Photographer...
is one of the TNT guys, Ryan Divish.
Doug Taylor - February 21, 2009
Drayer just said that she'd requested statements from Ichiro & Joh from Japan
and they’d been sent over—
Ichiro’s begins, "In 1989, when I was 16, I bought a Ken Griffey Jr jersey … "
msb - February 21, 2009
Poop watching MLB Network just now made me realize
I missed a chance to see Strasburg pitch against my school last night.
Of course I would’ve had to drive to Compton to do this.
(Screw the first person who tries to make a joke about USC being in Compton, the game is part of the MLB Urban Invitational and not on campus).
bluemax - February 21, 2009
Wait
USC played LBSU last night, hmm was that an old high light package they were showing or a team with uniforms similar to ours?
bluemax - February 21, 2009
Wishing there was an edit function
It was Bethune Cookman. Strasburg went 5.2, threw 105 pitches according to Tony Gwynn and had 11 Ks 2 BB, 3 H 1R 0 ER.
bluemax - February 21, 2009
I forgot all about Strasburg.
God I hope Bowden still has some stupid left over from stock-piling outfielders.
Omerta - February 21, 2009
I wouldn't be upset if we got Grant Green.
Mariner John - February 21, 2009
I'm fine with Green
but for more irrational reasons.
bluemax - February 22, 2009
Churchill:
redwolf75 - February 21, 2009
Did he come back over in a goodyear tire. Maybe that might explain the weight loss.
kentroyals5 - February 21, 2009
Every offseason he should be required to swim to Cuba and back at least once.
Goose - February 22, 2009
Grifol at the meet-up hinted that we'd be surprised by his progress this year.
Good start.
Omerta - February 21, 2009
Man, Ibanez must have really run his tuchas this off-season
msb - February 21, 2009
What was his listed weight when he broke into the bigs?
BrianL - February 21, 2009
This is apparently impossible to find.
Mariner John - February 21, 2009
This can't be BAD news.
Teej - February 22, 2009
He's still fat just less muscley
JI - February 22, 2009
You think Yuni got the same mission as Silva at the end of last season to drop the weight?
Fin - February 22, 2009
Yup.
What I heard was Yuni was given the option to go down to work out with Raul or stay in Seattle and work with the team trainer. Either way, the team wanted to make sure Yuni would be working out during the winter.
mark sobba - February 23, 2009
Uh-ohs.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/baseball/401022_mari22.html
They have already decided Griffey will be in left field when his legs feel fine. When baseball’s active leader with 611 home runs says he needs a break, he’ll be the DH.
eponymous_coward - February 22, 2009
Hey look we're not perfect yet.
Aaron Campeau - February 22, 2009
Also I don't really buy it.
Aaron Campeau - February 22, 2009
Agreed
mark sobba - February 22, 2009
I think there is very little chance Griffey's legs are ever going to feel "fine" again
At least dear god I hope so.
OlSalty - February 22, 2009
Doesn't mean he won't claim to feel fine.
HARRYP09 - February 22, 2009
See: 2008
“Junior, you have to tell us when your knee is acting up…”
eponymous_coward - February 22, 2009
That's an AP story, if you watched the conference they never directly said he'd be in LF when he was ok.
Griffey’s fine with DHing, we’re just trying to throw him a bone by saying “yeah, Ken will play the field when he feels he can”
BrettJMiller - February 22, 2009
Hopefully
JI - February 22, 2009
Baker said in his video today that he doesn't think the M's are considering starting him in LF.
When you think about it, they’ve never said “He’s the left fielder” and when he signed Wakamatsu made a point to say he’s ok with being the DH, if I recall correctly.
BrettJMiller - February 23, 2009
Niehaus interviewed Griffey yesterday and asked about playing CF.
Griffey said he would play CF if the team really needed him too. He did not sound very excited about doing it.
After listening to Griffey yesterday I think he doesn’t want to think of himself as a DH. So he will think of himself as an Out Fielder who DHes when the team needs him to. It is a pride issue.
It really doesn’t matter what Griffey calls himself, LFer, DH/LF, Player/Coach, SuperStar!, as long as he trusts the manager to do what is best for the team.
The blog community’s guess that Griffey will appear in 5-20~ games (starts and spot appearances) in the OF will be close to correct.
mark sobba - February 22, 2009
Griffey almost turned down Chicago because they wanted him to play CF.
JI - February 22, 2009
I still can't believe that. When I originally read that report I actually shot milk out of my nose.
hcoguy - February 22, 2009
I sure hope so.
I guess spotting him in the OF during Felix/Silva starts (and subbing in Endy lots in late innings defensively or as a PR) would be OK (read: suboptimal but not a disaster on the same scale as playing him when a flyball pitcher is on the mound)- but really, I think even 20 games in the OF is going to be kind of low (that’s less than once a week during the season). I think 1/3rd OF and 2/3rds DH is more realistic, and it could be even more.
eponymous_coward - February 22, 2009
It would be kind of sweet to see him in center for the last home game if we already have the division wrapped up
(which we so, so will!)
seattlebruin - February 22, 2009
Update-free Monday too?
You’re walking on thin ice, Jeff.
Double06 - February 23, 2009
It's 11
Jeff Sullivan - February 23, 2009
Just wait for the Robert update
Graham MacAree - February 23, 2009
I've already heard about it
’Tis quite hilarious
Fuzz - February 23, 2009
Watching the Griffey .gif got boring by Saturday night.
Double06 - February 23, 2009
Meh, it's not as good as Friday-night porn
seattlebruin - February 23, 2009
DRB special feature in the line of TWSG?
Faux - February 23, 2009
These inside jokes are tearing us apart
Jeff Sullivan - February 23, 2009
I don't even know what this means. >:(
JI - February 23, 2009
Now you know why everyone else is so pissed all the time.
Aaron Campeau - February 23, 2009
I never said I was pissed.
JI - February 23, 2009
You forgot a period
Robert - February 23, 2009
said the man in the big yellow hat.
Robert - February 23, 2009
It stops as white text on a black background after a while.
Faux - February 23, 2009
This Griffey gif is burned into my brain and I need something else to stare at that won't seep into my dreams.
JI - February 23, 2009
We are working on the greatest gif in gif history.
Robert - February 23, 2009
Is it the one I tipped you off on.
JI - February 23, 2009
http://www.lookoutlanding.com/2009/2/20/766464/update-free-weekend#12441268
Robert - February 23, 2009
If it's about John Carlson then I don't care.
JI - February 23, 2009
Blatant falsehoods.
Kirsten Schlewitz - February 23, 2009
Fake.
Phil Hatzenbuehler - February 23, 2009
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