Wednesday, May 05, 1999

Griffey (just visiting) takes BP at Cinergy

---

Superstar gets tips from dad

BY JOHN FAY
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Mariners star Ken Griffey Jr. watches his dad pitch to his son, Trey, 5, at Cinergy Field. (Michael E. Keating photo) | ZOOM |

        It was a family reunion, baseball-style, beneath the stands at Cinergy Field. First, father threw to son. Then grandpa threw to grandson.

        Seattle Mariners star Ken Griffey Jr. and son Trey made a side trip on the way to Cleveland so Junior could take a few hacks off Reds coach Ken Griffey Sr.

        “Nobody knows my swing better than him,” Griffey Jr. said. “I've been fighting myself a little. We had an off-day, so I thought I'd come here and work with my dad.”

        Griffey's idea of struggling might not be that of the average player. He had grand slams in back-to-back games and another home run last week. He is second in the American League with 10 home runs and tied for fifth with 24 RBI.

        Griffey hadn't batted at Cinergy Field since he played an all-star game here as a senior at Moeller in 1987. Shortly after that, he was drafted No.1 by the Seattle Mariners. Shortly after that, he was in the big leagues. And shortly after that, he was considered by many to be the best player in baseball.

        But all that time, Senior remained Junior's No.1 hitting coach.

        “We talk all the time,” Junior said. “Every hotel, every cell phone, every stadium training room, he's got the number. He calls me during games sometimes.”

        Senior and Junior went back and forth during their 20-minute session in the cage.

        “The bat's broken, isn't it?” Senior said after he jammed Junior on a pitch.

        “No,” Junior replied. “You're not going to break it. I told you I only needed to bring one bat.”

        After the session, Senior said: “You had enough? On those last three or four, you were swinging like your mother.”

        But the batting practice had a serious side. Senior instructed as he threw.

        “He usually stays in my head,” Junior said. “He's still the dad and I'm still the little kid.”

        Senior agreed that Junior's mental approach, not his swing, needed adjustment.

        “He just needs a little reassurance from me,” he said. “For me, it was great to just see him.”

        After he was through with Junior, Senior threw a basket of balls to Trey, 5. Trey kept telling Grandpa to throw it harder. Trey sprayed line drives, too.

        “He's about the same as Junior was at 5,” Senior said.

       

---

Reds Stories

REDS 6, DIAMONDBACKS 4 Bullpen charging after competition REDS NOTEBOOK Box, runs Tomko wins first at Triple-A Griffey (just visiting) takes BP at Cinergy Griffey's visit: Wishing upon a star Tim Sullivan column

Tips for first-time marathoners
CINCINNATI HIGH SCHOOL REPORT
CINCINNATI HIGH SCHOOL RESULTS
N.KY. HIGH SCHOOL REPORT
N.KY. HIGH SCHOOL RESULTS
Workouts may be right formula
BENGALS NOTEBOOK

Reds page