Friday, February 11, 2000

Perez wants No. 24 retired

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Junior may have to take a different number

BY SCOTT MacGREGOR
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Koch Sporting Goods downtown hung a Reds jersey with Griffey's name in their storefront window this week. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        Ken Griffey Jr. might need to find a new number, because Tony Perez wants No.24 retired.

        Griffey wore No.24 in Seattle. Problem is, that's the same number Perez wore here when he was one of the keys to the Big Red Machine.

        And Perez, going into the Hall of Fame this year, said he would like to see it retired. Griffey said Thursday it's up to Perez.

        “I'd like to be on that wall in left field like all the other Hall of Famers,” Perez said.

        Griffey, who wore a jersey with a blank back at the press conference announcing the trade, said he would find a new number if Perez desires.

        “The decision is his,” Griffey said. “If Tony allows me to wear that number, I would wear it. I'm not going to be upset if he says no.”

        Perez said he has nothing against Griffey. He said Griffey “is like family,” because the Big Red Machine members, including Ken Griffey Sr., got to know each other's children when they hung around the ballpark.

        “I feel great about Junior,” Perez said. “It's great for Cincinnati and great for the ballclub.”

        But Perez also wants his due.

        “I waited nine years for the Hall of Fame. I don't want to wait another nine years to have my number retired,” he said. “Before I was in the Hall, I don't know. Now that I am, I'd like it to be retired.”

        Griffey offered no alternative number to wear, although Griffey Sr., the Reds' bench coach, offered up his No.30.

        That's what he wore as a player here from 1973-81 and from 1988-90.

        The ultimate decision on retiring No.24 is up to the Reds. The team was tentatively planning to retire it and honor Perez sometime this year when the Florida Marlins, for whom Perez works as a special assistant, come to town (May 26-28 and Aug.4-6).

        Perez said he spoke with Reds Chief Operating Officer John Allen Thursday. “They plan to retire it sometime this year,” Perez said.

        The Reds have retired five numbers: manager Fred Hutchinson (1), catcher Johnny Bench (5), second baseman Joe Morgan (8), first baseman Ted Kluszewski (18) and outfielder Frank Robinson (20).

        According to the Reds, the only other player who has worn No.24 since Perez left the team in 1977 was Dave Van Gorder in 1982. Perez wore the number as a player from 1964-76 and from 1984-86, then as a coach and manager from 1987-93.

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