Friday, February 11, 2000
Dad has upper hand - with rings on it
BY GEOFF HOBSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
![[griffey]](http://reds.enquirer.com/img/photos/2000/02/021000bowden180.jpg)
GM Jim Bowden brought father and son together.
(AP photo)
| ZOOM | |
The Junior-Senior Show made its Cincinnati debut Thursday night.
But it was hard to tell who was the straight man as the Ken Griffeys joshed, challenged and loved each other during Junior's introductory news conference.
At one point, Junior wished to have the same luck Senior had in earning three Reds' World Championship rings.
“Luck?” asked Senior in mock anger.
Then Senior, the Dad who doubles as the Reds' bench coach, spoke about how proud he was to have a son who made a decision based on family and not money.
“I used to tell him all the time, when I played, the situation on the first and 15th were always a bonus,” said Senior of those long ago paydays. “Playing the game when you're little and enjoying the game and playing for nothing, I think that's the way he looks at it. Because he took less, I don't look at him as a hero.
“It's just he wanted to be himself,” Senior said. “That's the way he looks at life. Just enjoying it, having fun and making sure everyone in his family is OK.”
Then, a pause with a comic's timing, Junior added, “Plus, I've got a built-in baby sitter.”
The one serious moment between the two made Senior grimace. Junior was asked if Senior's name being bandied about as a possible future manager of the Reds was a factor in his decision to come home.
“No hablo ingles,” said Senior, Spanish for “I don't speak English.”
Junior smiled and said he'd like to see Dad get the job here, “so I can swing my son into his office and get the red pop that I want,” but he's quite serious in believing his dad deserves a shot at managing.
“He's been in baseball for 20 plus years,” Junior said. “He knows what it takes to become a manager. He just has to get that opportunity.”
Brian Goldberg, the Griffeys' agent, said the Reds never brought up the issue during negotiations.
“In fact, we made it clear to them it should not (be an issue),” Goldberg said. “Junior's exact words were, "Just as long as they're fair with Dad, I don't have any unreasonable expectations.'
“It wouldn't surprise me if Senior is here a long time as a Reds' employee,” Goldberg said. “That doesn't necessarily mean he's going to be a manager or their manager, but it wouldn't surprise me if he's going to be here a long time as an employee.”
Enough of the serious stuff. It got in the way of the gags. Someone asked Junior about the emotion he would feel running on to his dad's field.
“I'll have to run out with him,” Senior said. “He's been on that field before. 12-nothing.”
That was a famous Father-Son Game played way back.
“Does this mean I get to play in the Father-Son game (this year)?” Junior asked.
More comic timing. Then Senior made a face and shook his head.
But this father always has the joke with this son.
The championship rings.
“That's the stuff he does to me all time,” Junior said.
Senior spread both hands in front of Junior. No rings.
“I don't have any on today,” Senior said. “I'll have it on tomorrow. You want to borrow one?”
Join the discussion on our Reds forum
Griffey video clips at Majorleaguebaseball.com
Reds Stories
Reds page
![[griffey]](http://reds.enquirer.com/img/photos/2000/02/021000bowden.jpg)