Friday, February 11, 2000

Moeller welcomes most famous alum

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Students admire former Crusader, hope he'll visit

BY JEFF CARLTON
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Griffey wore a Moeller uniform the last time he played in Cincinnati. (Jim Callaway photo) | ZOOM |

        As a senior at Moeller High School — Ken Griffey Jr.'s alma mater — John Medl is angling for a way to meet the Reds' new superstar.

        “It would be nice to have a Ken Griffey Jr. day here at the school,” Medl said.

        With the announcement of Griffey's return to Cincinnati, many students at the Kenwood school are hoping for a glimpse of the school's famous graduate.

        Griffey has made unannounced visits to the school before, and rumors Thursday were that he was somewhere in the building.

        He wasn't, but he certainly was a topic of discussion.

        Joe Tonges is an outfielder on the baseball team, which means he roams the same territory where Griffey made a name for himself. Despite this connection, Tonges said he models his playing style after New York Mets outfielder Rickey Henderson.

        Griffey's image as a role model is solid at his alma mater.

        “I think he will be all about getting involved in his new community,” Moeller senior James Fisher said. “He seems like a quality person.”

        Dick Beerman, who taught Griffey algebra, said it was always obvious the outfielder was headed for the majors. Despite being stamped for greatness at an early age, Griffey “made every effort to mainstream himself with his classmates,” the teacher said.

        “He was the most unpretentious son-of-a-major-leaguer you could ever hope to meet,” Beerman said. “He's done himself, his family and Moeller High School really proud.”

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