Sunday, June 24, 2001
Fan's-eye view of the Reds
Thumbs up for Ken Griffey Jr. The all-century center fielder hasn't exactly been a power plant, but it's obvious how important his presence is in the lineup.
Junior hit safely in his first nine games since returning from the disabled list. 231. More important, he has taken the pressure off other hitters in the lineup.
It's probably not a coincidence the Reds hit 11 home runs in a three-game span and averaged 6.5 runs a game in his first eight games back.
“Having Junior in the middle of our lineup is a special presence that changes everything,” manager Bob Boone said. “He gets respect from pitchers, and they really don't want to face him.”
Take that, Bonds
Despite missing essentially half a season, Griffey still can become the youngest player to reach 450 home runs.
Junior, 25th on the all-time list with 439 home runs, needs 11 home runs by Aug.24 to become the youngest to reach that plateau.
Up next: Dave Kingman, 24th with 442.
Griffey, by the way, was fastest to 350 and 400.
Another milestone
Barry Larkin, last of a breed?
Cal Ripken's announcement that this would be his last season leaves Larkin in some heady company. Without Ripken next season, San Diego's Tony Gwynn and Larkin will be the players with the most seasons spent with their original team.
Gwynn has spent 20 seasons with the Padres; Larkin is in his 16th year with the Reds.
With Gwynn battling injuries and expressing interest in the San Diego State baseball coaching job, it's possible Larkin could have the longest tenure with one team next season.
Up the list
Larkin, by the way, needs just hits to tie Johnny Bench for third place on the Reds' all-time list for hits (2,048).
Pete Rose, of course, leads with 3,358, and David Concepcion is second with 2,326.
Where else does Larkin rank? He's fifth in games played, fifth in at-bats, second in runs scored, fourth in doubles, eighth in home runs, fifth in total bases, eighth in RBI, six in extra-base hits and second in stolen bases.
That's our Doggie
The Florida Marlins are 17-8 since Tony Perez became manager and are just 2 1/2 games out of first in the NL East.
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Fan's-eye view of the Reds
