Tuesday, February 22, 2000

Nervous Griffey ready to play

---

BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Ken Griffey Jr. (center) joins manager Jack McKeon and GM Jim Bowden in meeting the media at training camp Monday. | ZOOM |

        SARASOTA, Fla. — Ken Griffey Jr. became a Cincinnati Red on Feb. 10.

        He moved his belongings into the team's spring-training headquarters Sunday.

        But for much of the sports world, Monday served as Mr. Griffey's official introduction to his new team.

        Mr. Griffey, other players and Reds officials spoke at a news conference at Ed Smith Stadium attended by 65 media outlets and 150 reporters, many of whom remained hungry for more details about the trade that brought the All-Century Team center fielder to Cincinnati from the Seattle Mariners.

        “Everyone's here because Ken Griffey Jr. is one of the best players in the game,” Reds General Manager Jim Bowden said.

        Barry Larkin, Cincinnati's shortstop and team captain, told reporters, “You guys should be here. This is going to be an exciting spring training and an exciting team to watch.”

        Mr. Griffey briefly met some his new teammates — “I'm glad they have names and numbers on the backs of their uniforms,” he said — and didn't participate in an informal workout with other position players. He's not expected to hit the field until Wednesday, when the Reds conduct their first full-squad workout.

        But Mr. Griffey, who brought a black bat to his news conference, sounded ready to begin swinging.

        “Yeah, I'm nervous,” he said. “I just want to go out and play.”

       

---

Reds Stories

Nervous Griffey ready to play Griffey's 1st day lasts for 3 hours He'll help pitchers, hitters and accountants Larkin: Junior will fit in Good news, Jr.: earrings allowed REDS NOTEBOOK

UC still No. 1 where it counts - RPI
Xavier needs more home magic
Prosser won't talk about job openings
Dillon: Let me out of here
Script ready for sectional
Mount St. Joseph's teams improved rapidly
Stanley Cup to visit Dayton
Michigan St. hitches its star to Cleaves
Cyclones thump 'Jacks

Reds page