Friday, February 11, 2000
Junior big draw to kids
Star's attitude, playing style hit with small fans
BY MARK CURNUTTE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Eric Barnett, who is 10, has worn No.24 on his youth league baseball jersey for as long as he's played.
“I do it because Ken Griffey Jr. is my favorite baseball player,” Eric said. “I love how he hits home runs and catches fly balls over the wall.”
The West End boy — who also has a Ken Griffey Jr. model bat, glove and baseball shoes — is among the Tristate youngsters who no longer will have to follow their favorite star from afar. The Cincinnati Reds acquired Griffey in a trade Thursday with the Seattle Mariners.
More than any player in Major League Baseball, Griffey attracts a large and loyal following among young people. There's a special something about Junior that other players don't have, his admirers say.
“He's got a positive personality,” said Eric Meier, 10, of Villa Hills. “Whenever he loses, it's like, "OK, we just have to come back and try harder tomorrow.'”
Eric and his two brothers, Chris, 7, and Robbie, 8, say Junior is their favorite. Eric has a poster in his room and a Mariners' cap. Robbie has Griffey's baseball cards. “He's really nice,” Robbie said. “He doesn't show off when he hits home runs.”
Chris got a Mariners' jacket from his mom and dad, Kathy and Mark Meier, for Christmas.
Kathy Meier is worried she'll have to replace it with a Reds' jacket.
“Nah, I'll wear it,” Chris said.
Kid appeal
Griffey appeals to children for two major reasons, said Dr. James Brush, a psychologist in Monfort Heights who treats children and teens.
Children pay attention to people who are good at what they do, particularly in entertainment fields such as sports and music.
Then Griffey, like basketball legend Michael Jordan, comes across as a nice guy.
“That's very important,” Dr. Brush said. “Griffey seems very approachable, and kids imagine that they could sit down and have a conversation with him.”
For generations, boys were able to see themselves as sports heroes, a dream that increasing numbers of girls now have, Dr. Brush said.
“Kids can see themselves being Ken Griffey Jr.,” he said.
Vonitia Wise, 14, of the West End, plays softball and played baseball with a boys team last summer. She was a right fielder and pitcher.
Her favorite player? Junior, of course.
“He sticks to his job,” she said, “never puts his head down. He's always energetic. He always smiles. That is where I got that from.”
Fred Carnes has heard children arguing over who “gets to be Junior” on the youth baseball fields.
“They'll be over on the bench, and it's "I'm Ken Griffey Jr.' "No, I am,'” said Carnes, 45, who has coached youth baseball for 10 years and is now a coordinator for youth leagues playing in the West End and downtown.
Griffey's No.24 is also popular, say Carnes and other youth coaches.
“All the kids want to be 24,” Carnes said. “You better believe it's a problem.”
Eric Barnett, the West End youth with the Griffey model bat, glove and shoes, has won the No.24 sweepstakes on Carnes' team.
Youth baseball has lost many players in the last generation in the city's urban neighborhoods, Carnes said, and he said the acquisition of Griffey by the hometown Reds could bring hundreds of kids to baseball in the same way Jordan attracted children to basketball when he reached the professional ranks in the mid-1980s.
Reviving baseball
“Michael Jordan almost killed baseball in the black community,” said Carnes, who also coaches basketball at Findlay Street Neighborhood House in the West End. “Junior coming home is going to really help us a lot.”
Josh McGee, 10, of Union Township, Clermont County, says Griffey is one of his two favorite baseball players. The other is Barry Larkin. Now they play on the same team.
“Griffey is a good batter. He's pretty good in the outfield, too. No, make that great,” Josh said. “I like him because I play outfield like he does.”
Ryan O'Leary, 10, of Northside, has three favorite players: Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and Griffey.
“I like home-run hitters,” Ryan said. “I'm so excited. It's going to be fun to see him play for the Reds.”
Maybe they'll meet.
“I think he would talk to me,” Ryan said. “I'd ask him for his autograph.”
Would he sign?
“I think he would,” Ryan said.
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