Sunday, March 03, 2002
Reds Q & A with John Fay
Readers split on Jr. issue
By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The e-mailers get their chance to take sides on the Pokey Reese-Dmitri Young-Ron Oester vs. Barry Larkin-Ken Griffey Jr. debate. The split was pretty even. Read on:
Question, from Mark in Middletown: I find credibility in what Pokey Reese and Dmitri Young have said. They accused Barry Larkin and Ken Griffey Jr. of being selfish and destroying the cohesiveness of the team. It pains me when I hear Junior say that he played hurt last year for a team that was going nowhere. The only reason he was out there was to build his stats. He wants the home run record, and that is why he played last year. How many times do you see him try to hit to the opposite field when opponents leave it wide open for him?
A: He bunted for a single at least twice against the shift last year. No one ripped Cal Ripken Jr. for playing all those games to get that record. Griffey is a gamer. The medical people wanted to hold him out of workouts through the weekend because of a viral infection, but he insisted on putting in his work.
Q, from Rich: Regarding the comments of Young and Reese, doesn't it seem like Griffey and Larkin may have been down on these players because they were trying to make more than they were worth? Griffey, Sean Casey and even Larkin in the past have signed at lower salaries to try to allow the team to afford more quality players, but Reese and Young seemed to want all they could get, regardless of how it affected the team's payroll.
A: I don't think Griffey and Larkin cared what Young and Reese were asking for. I think Reese and Young turned down those contracts not because of money but because they wanted out of Cincinnati.
Q, from Jake in Monfort Heights: All this former Reds vs. Junior-Larkin drama has to have at least some truth to it. There have been too many sources/stories the past years about the spoiled nature and petty jealousies of both Griffey and Larkin. I seriously doubt all these people got together to conspire against the two Reds drama mongers just out of coincidence.
A: Young's comments gave credibility to the charges. Reese and Oester had beefs before they left.
Q, from Jordan in Fort Thomas: I think many of the players/coaches need to look at themselves before slandering Griffey. This is a guy who took less money to play in a town he grew up in and really has done nothing but give his effort here, playing injured and all. ... If the Reds return to the elite teams, do you think Griffey will be seen nationally as an idol, as I and others view him?
A: Winning cures all in sports, and Griffey remains a hugely popular player. Kids buying Nikes don't care if Reese and Young like him.
Q, from Ray in New Concord, Ohio: Who decides what color combinations the Reds wear on game day? Personally, I don't like the black sleeves with the home uniform, and that seems to be what the Reds wear the most (at home).
A: Rick Stowe, the Reds' equipment man, says there is no formula to which colors are worn each day. “If we're losing, we'll change,” Stowe said. “If we're winning, we won't.”
Q, from M. Feeley, the Cubbie fan: In response to the email from Terry from the Chicago suburb, I thought you needed to hear the flip side. I am originally from Chicago, having moved to Cincinnati about a year and half ago. ... The reader obviously has never been in town when the Cubs have opened. The media is so over the top that Sox fans complain. Wrigley has more atmosphere in its bleachers than any old or new Reds park will ever have. (And at least it has bleachers!) ... I find it heartwarming that the expatriate is trying to boost the spirits of his team's fans, but at least compare apples to apples!
A: Apples and apples? And you're comparing the Chicago market to the Cincinnati market? The Wrigley bleachers are as good as it gets. By the way, Great American Ball Park will have some sweet bleacher seats.
Q, from Keith in Fairfield: If the Reds made you GM for a day, of the Reds surplus of outfielders for 2002 (Austin Kearns, Juan Encarnacion, Ruben Mateo, Wily Mo Pena and Brady Clark), which would you package in a deal for a No. 2 or No. 3 starter? Which would you start? And why has Jim Bowden seemingly been unable to deal with other teams lately?
A: You have to let spring training determine who wins the right field position. But I would trade any two of the four for legit No. 2 starter under 26 years old. The reason Bowden has been able to land pitching is nobody has surplus pitching that the Reds can afford, i.e., a young No. 2 starter.
Q, from Jerry: Is there any chance the Reds can sign Gil Heredia to a minor-league contract?
A: My guess is no. With 37 pitches pitchers in camp, they're out of locker space.
John Fay covers the Reds for the Enquirer.
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