Tuesday, February 22, 2000

Larkin: Junior will fit in

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Captain says Griffey won't hurt chemistry

BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati Enquirer

        SARASOTA, Fla. — Ken Griffey Jr.'s impact on the Reds is expected to range from the field to the box office, but not necessarily the clubhouse.

        In this case, no effect is a positive effect.

Afterward, Griffey wrestles with Barry Larkin's son, Shane, 7. | ZOOM |

        For years, the Reds' clubhouse has been a lot like the city of Cincinnati itself — not the most exciting place to visit but a great place to live. Harmony usually reigns. The Jose Rijos and Joe Olivers of the past have morphed into the Pokey Reeses and Sean Caseys of today; the Reds always seem to have an above-average number of players who aren't just nice compared to most athletes, but nice guys, period.

        Shortstop Barry Larkin virtually promised that Griffey's celebrity status won't upset the equilibrium of Reds personalities — in short, the team's chemistry.

        “Here in Cincinnati, we've always had that camaraderie,” said Larkin, a Red since 1986. “We have never run into a situation where the clubhouse was dysfunctional because of the very strong personality of a superstar coming in here. We've had some strong personali ties here. And it won't be any different with Junior. He's going to fit in well.”

        As if to support Larkin, Griffey joked about batting leadoff, a responsibility earmarked for Reese. “We could play rock-paper-scissors for it,” Griffey said during his news conference, grinning impishly.

        If anybody should know how the Reds and Griffey will assimilate each other, it's Larkin, the team's captain since 1997 and its acknowledged leader before that. He also has a friendship with Griffey that has lasted so long that he couldn't remember when they initially met.

        Larkin stressed that he hasn't been the only source of the Reds' positive atmosphere.

        “It's everybody,” he said. “Yeah, we're competitive. Yeah, we have a good team. But people are comfortable here. One of the reasons they're comfortable is everyone gets along. It's a fun experience.”

        As examples, Larkin cited the players traded to Seattle for Griffey.

        “The first thing Mike Cameron said was, "Man, I'm going to miss the clubhouse.' Brett Tomko was (hacked) off because he couldn't play with Junior, but (also) because he couldn't be in the clubhouse anymore.”

        Larkin doesn't want to join Cameron and Tomko as exiles. But his future with the Reds is somewhat cloudy, because he's in the last year of his contract and talks about an extension haven't begun.

        “If I ever had to move on, that (spirit) would be one of the things I'd surely miss,” he said. “I don't know if it could get any better than this.”

        Larkin credited General Manager Jim Bowden with acquiring a steady stream of likable players.

        “We've had a couple of guys on the fringe, but ... it just kind of works itself out,” Larkin said. “Guys see how the clubhouse is and just fit in. Nobody's off to themselves.”

        If anybody should have a huge ego, it's Larkin, a 10-time All-Star who has been synonymous with the Reds. But he's more than happy to share the spotlight with Griffey.

        “The media thing and the attention, I'm glad that's deflected elsewhere,” Larkin said. “I just do my thing and stay consistent.”

       

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