Monday, February 25, 2002
Senior wasn't happy with duties
By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer
SARASOTA, Fla. — Ken Griffey Sr. showed up at the Ed Smith Stadium complex Sunday. It wasn't to reclaim his job as first base coach. He was showing some visitors around and took time to say goodbye to former teammates Don Gullett and Tom Hume.
And he did shed a little light on why he quit.
“I wasn't happy with what I was doing,” he said. “I haven't been happy for the last 1 1/2 years. It just hit harder than most of the time (Friday). I went in and told (Reds general manager Jim Bowden) I wanted a change.”
Griffey said he was unhappy doing some of the things he was asked to do, but declined to elaborate.
He did say the comments Pokey Reese and Dmitri Young made criticizing his son, Ken Jr., had nothing to do with his resignation.
Like Ken Jr., Senior would not take shots at Young and Reese.
“Pokey and Dmitri are partners,” he said. “They're going to stick up for one another. I think Pokey was frustrated. He turned down that contract and then he had a bad year. They're both good kids. They didn't mean no harm.”
Griffey accepted the Reds' offer to serve as a special consultant to Bowden. Griffey said he would be based in Cincinnati, scout players and advise on trades.
When asked if he would consider coaching in another organization, he said: “No comment.”
He also said he's still interested in managing and would consider doing so on the minor-league level.
Griffey said he remained with the club last season largely because of Junior.
“My son came to Cincinnati because of me,” he said.
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Senior wasn't happy with duties
