Saturday, October 02, 1999
Griffey to interview with Rockies
BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MILWAUKEE — Rumors finally hardened into reality Friday when the Reds gave the Colorado Rockies permission to interview bench coach Ken Griffey Sr. for their managerial vacancy.
As was the case with player personnel director Buddy Bell, considered the Rockies' leading managerial candidate, Reds General Manager Jim Bowden did not give Colorado immediate permission to hire Griffey.
Nevertheless, the development gave Griffey and Bowden the chance for happy talk.
“It gives me an opportunity,” said Griffey, who has been linked to manager's jobs with Seattle, Milwaukee, Anaheim and the Chicago Cubs without anything concrete happening. “It means a lot. I'm just glad somebody's interested. ... It's a pleasant surprise. I'll just do the best I can in the interview and hope things turn out.”
Said Bowden: “It's a continuous compliment to our organization that people recognize the good people we have. By the same token, we don't want to lose our people.”
Griffey said that no date has been selected for his interview. Since Bell could be interviewed as early as next week, the Rockies might not wait too long to schedule an appointment with Griffey, which could be complicated if the Reds reach the postseason.
Griffey, who has made no secret of his desire to manage, is known to be on good terms with Rockies President Jerry McMorris. A year before joining the Reds' staff in 1997, Griffey served as Colorado's hitting instructor, first-base coach and outfield coach.
Griffey, 49, will hone his managerial skills this offseason by managing Santurce in the Puerto Rican Winter League. He managed Maryvale of the Arizona Fall League last year.
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