Ken Griffey Jr. clowns around with Adam Dunn at Sunday's workout at Cinergy Field. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        Reds manager Bob Boone made a courtesy inquiry to Ken Griffey Jr.

        “You want to be in there?” Boone asked.

        “Does Ray Charles shave in the dark?” Griffey replied.

        Boone was asking about the Opening Day lineup. Yes, Griffey will in there — batting third and playing center field. That is probably the most encouraging sign that this season will be better than last. Last year, Griffey did not make his first start until June 15 — the Reds' 65th game of the year.

        Griffey's torn left hamstring ripped apart the Reds season before it ever got started. Griffey injured the hamstring March 26. No one had any idea how bad it was on Opening Day. The Reds were holding out hope Griffey might play in the first series of the year.

SURVIVING OPENING DAY

• First pitch: 2:15 p.m.     • Tickets: None are available. Cinergy's final opener sold out in a club-record 26 minutes.     • TV: WCPO Channel 9 and Fox Sports Net Ohio.     • Radio: 700 WLW-AM.     • Weather: Expect clear skies and temperatures in the 50s.     • Getting there: Opening Day can snarl traffic. For 24-hour traffic information, click on • Cincinnati.com/traffic or call ARTIMIS at 333-3333 or 511 from any phone in the region.     • Starting pitchers: For the Reds: Joey Hamilton, trying to overcome three years of shoulder problems. For the Cubs: Jon Lieber, 5-0 in six starts against the Reds in 2001.     • Free stuff: To commemorate Cinergy's last season, fans will receive a lapel pin that replicates patches on the players' uniforms. It features Cinergy in the city's skyline.     • Before the game: The 83rd Annual Findlay Market Opening Day Parade kicks off at 11:30 a.m. on Race Street in Over-the-Rhine. It ends about 1:30 p.m. at Fifth and Broadway streets.     • Don't miss this: The city's elusive Charolais cow. She'll be in the parade, but only after Mayor Charlie Luken gives her the key to the city at an 11 a.m. presentation at Findlay Market. (Parade map and street closings)

        But the injury lingered. Griffey was used as a pinch-hitter early in the year until it became clear he wasn't himself. He went on the disabled list April 29 and remained there until June 15. The Reds were 14 1/2 games out by then.

        Griffey had a good spring. He hit .288 with a homer and 10 RBI in 18 games. He finished the spring with a five-game hitting streak in which he hit .412.

        “I feel good,” he said. “I always feel good going into the season. Spring training is the tough part. That's where you do all the hard work. The season is the fun part.”

        Boone has said repeatedly that he thought Griffey was poised to have a monster year before the injury last year. Boone feels the same way this year.

        “I do,” Boone said. “I like the way he's gone about his business. I like all the work he's done this year. He's really got his swing together.”

        If Griffey stays healthy, the numbers will come. Griffey has not had a healthy year since coming to the Reds.

        The hamstring problems date back to September of 2000. Griffey hit .271 with 40 home runs and 118 RBI in 2000. But he missed 17 games with the hamstring and had only 520 at-bats — his fewest since 1995 when he missed over half the season with a broken wrist.

        Griffey abhors talking about numbers.

        “That's for you guys (the media),” he said. “I don't do that.”

        Griffey has been remarkably consistent when he's healthy. Look at his last four years in Seattle:

        • 1996: .303, 49 home runs, 140 RBI.

        • 1997: .304, 56 home runs, 147 RBI.

        • 1998: .284, 56 home runs, 146 RBI.

        • 1999: .285, 48 home runs, 134 RBI.

        Griffey's hamstring did not keep him out of any drills or games in spring training. He has missed three games with tendinitis in his right knee.

        “That's more of an aggravating thing,” Reds medical director Dr. Tim Kremchek said. “It's not dangerous.”

        The hamstring is something Griffey will have to deal with the rest of his career as well.

        "It's a maintenance thing,” Kremchek said. “He's going to have to continue to do it. He's been very good about it.”

        That's evident in the way Griffey moves.

        “His range of motion is better,” Kremchek said. “His strength, his endurance are better.”

        Boone won't check with Griffey about the lineup anymore. He'll simply pencil him in. Boone has no plans to rest Griffey.

        That's fine with Griffey.

        “I'd like to play 162 games,” he said.

        While everyone in the baseball world is picking the Reds either last or second-to-last in the National League Central, Griffey is optimistic.

        “I think we'll be all right,” he said. “I don't worry about what other people think.”

Lights, hammy, action SULLIVAN: Opening Day Fellowship of the swing Last Cinergy opener hardly nostalgic moment Major-league milestone for the Ol' Left-hander New park on track for Opening Day 2003 Opening Day parade map Out of the park Reds outlook is bright Cubs vs. Reds preview Reds notebook NL Central Preview NL East Preview NL West Preview AL Central Preview AL East Preview AL West Preview Colon blanks Angels Hope springs eternal on opening day

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