Thursday, June 27, 2002
Griffey defends workout habits
By John Fay jfay@enquirer.com
The Cincinnati Enquirer
CHICAGO — Ken Griffey Jr. defended his work habits, saying he's doing everything asked of him to stay healthy.
“Certain guys promote themselves,” Griffey said Wednesday. “They say: "I do this. I do that.' I do a lot more than people think and a lot more than you guys know. I've always been secretive about my workouts.”
Griffey said the claim he doesn't stretch is unfounded.
“I stretch all the time,” he said. “I stretch when I'm in the on-deck circle. I stretch when I get up in the morning.”
Griffey did not return to Cincinnati Tuesday after being placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring. He planned to but didn't, because he was concerned weather problems would delay his flight.
“I'm going to stay and work with (physical therapist) Lonnie Soloff for a few days,” Griffey said.
The Reds are satisfied Griffey has done all he can do to come back from his injuries.
“I'm more than satisfied,” Reds general manager Jim Bowden said. “I've been very impressed with the way he's worked.”
The rehab program Griffey will be on up to the All-Star break is largely the same one he was on after each of his last three injuries. Griffey tore his left hamstring March 26, 2001; he tore his right patella tendon April 7 this season; and he strained his right hamstring June7.
Griffey missed 70 starts last year and has missed 55 so far this year. He will miss at least 12 more.
Griffey's current injury could be healed before he's ready to come off the DL. That would allow him to come back 100 percent.
“I hope so,” Griffey said. “We'll see.”
Griffey wasn't big on the idea of going on a minor-league rehab assignment.
“What's that going to do?” he said. “What's the difference between playing up here and down there?”
Griffey also was concerned about “security issues.”
Bowden said the idea of minor-league rehab was discussed last year.
“We saw the way he was swinging and said, "Why have him hit two home runs at Louisville when he could hit them here?'” Bowden said.
Reds Stories
UC's Logan drafted by Golden State
NBA Draft goes according to script
NBA Draft Picks
Rockets land their 7-foot-5 prize
UK's Prince goes to Pistons
Williams goes to Bulls, just as he wanted
Bengals take hard line against supplements
Youth shows mettle in Met golf
Men's Met Golf Results & Schedule
Wedding rolls on in Ohio Am
Golf courses offer deal for daughters
Golf tip from Bruce Lietzke
Cooksey second in return from breast cancer
Sampras, Agassi ousted at Wimbledon
World Cup has dream final
Coming up this week
• Return to Reds front page...
Griffey defends workout habits
