Monday, February 21, 2000

The excitement keeps building

---

Media throng expected today

BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Ken Griffey Jr. holds court with the press after arriving at Reds training camp Sunday. (Michael E. Keating photos) | ZOOM |

        SARASOTA, Fla. — Dmitri Young understood the impact of Ken Griffey Jr.'s arrival.

        “We're going to see Walter Cronkite walk up here to get some news out,” said Young, who's projected to play alongside Griffey in Cincinnati's outfield.

        Actually, Cronkite isn't expected to be on hand today when Griffey holds a news conference. But a lot of other reporters will be. Between 50-60 news organizations and more than 150 credentialed members of the media will descend on the Sarasota Sports Complex to chronicle the dawning of the Griffey Era with the Reds.

        Though Griffey appeared in camp Sunday, one day before the official reporting date for position players, his presence will still be a novelty to his new teammates. Only outfielder Michael Tucker and infielder Mark Lewis, who happened to arrive almost simultaneously with Griffey, saw the All-Century Team center fielder unpack belongings.

        The Reds sounded ready for a thrill.

        “Everything around him is more than welcome in this clubhouse,” left-hander Ron Villone said Sunday.

        The focus on Griffey will continue to intensify until Opening Day at Cinergy Field, April 3 against Milwaukee. Today has been almost as eagerly awaited since the Reds acquired the Griffey from Seattle on Feb. 10.

        Young, who lives year-round in Northern Kentucky, has sensed the excitement.

        “When that deal went down, everybody was talking about it,” he said.

        There might be little to talk about today. It's not certain whether Griffey will work out informally. Physical examinations for position players are Tuesday, with the first full-squad workout scheduled for Wednesday.

        Manager Jack McKeon wasn't concerned about any hubbub Griffey generates, today or afterward. “It's certainly not going to bother us while we're on the field,” McKeon said.

        Still, the Reds seemed to realize that the relatively relaxed atmosphere that has enveloped them for most of the last few years is about to disappear in a haze of strobe lights and a thicket of microphones that may follow them all season.

        “I've never been around an environment like that before,” said catcher Eddie Taubensee, a Red since 1994. “It's like (getting) a (Mark) McGwire or (Sammy) Sosa. People are going to come out early to watch (Griffey) take batting practice. The media — it'll be crowded inside the clubhouse. Cincinnati's turned into a high-profile city now.”

        The buzz surrounding Griffey isn't just a creation of the media, either.

        Asked if he and teammates were talking about Griffey as much as reporters are, Young said, “I know I am. I mean, Ken Griffey Jr.? A guy who was in the big leagues at 19, and he's 30, with 400 (actually 398) home runs? Gol-lee. I'm in sheer amazement. I can't wait just to shake his hand.”

        The Reds got some practice opening their doors to a star last year, when left fielder Greg Vaughn came in a trade from San Diego, fresh off a 50-homer season. But as accomplished as Vaughn is, he's not at Griffey's level.

        “This'll blow (Vaughn) out of the water,” Young said. “We're getting one of the elite best.”

        Villone, who played with Seattle in 1995, noted that Griffey should have a positive effect by functioning as a lightning rod for attention.

        “For the younger guys, it's going to be a little bit of a shock at times, but I think it's only going to benefit us later in the season when you have all this pressure on,” Villone said. “Guys like him take the pressure off. I think that's important for some guys who are still learning. You watch somebody like that who's been around ... He's going to keep it in perspective.”

        “Perspective” might be a key word to remember. Young's sense of perspective encompassed the distance the Reds have traveled since 1998, when they finished 77-85 and weren't considered to have a promising immediate future. “It's quite a turnaround,” Young said.

        Taubensee's perspective on Griffey reflected his priorities as a catcher who endures grueling workouts almost daily.

        “I'm excited for him to come in,” Taubensee said after removing his layers of gear. “But I'm tired right now.”

       

---

Reds Stories

Griffey draws media circus Griffey, entourage roll into Reds camp The excitement keeps building REDS NOTEBOOK

Reds page