The e-mails were all over the Ken Griffey Jr.-Jim Bowden controversy. At last count, 60 or so had checked in, and the e-mails supported Junior about 60-40. Here's a sampling.

Q, from John in Bellevue: I hope you and your peers in the press will realize that your readers do love negative stories, like the story on Bowden about Griffey, even if we don't admit it. But more than anything else we love good stories, especially ones about our hometown hero who came home to play. When he starts doing his thing, everyone will forget about the negatives. But Griffey won't. Let's show a little class as a journalist and show Griffey that the fans do appreciate him and support him. Find a good-hearted story to write about him and sneak it in between the bad stories. And will you relay to Bowden if he wants to see how the fans really feel about Griffey, trade him and see how fast he gets run out of town.

A: Griffey does get his share of good press. His work with charities is often mentioned. All the beat guys wrote extensively about Griffey and a New York firefighter after 9-11. Griffey hates talking about his offseason program and ill-fated trade. But, of course, those were the topics everyone wanted to know about when he arrived at spring training.

Q, from Wayne in Oxford: Jim Bowden had some remarks about the deal for Ken Griffey Jr. being a "flop" trade. I thought Bowden was smarter than that. This year, why not let Junior be Junior and have a great year? Don't try to run him out of town.

A: I don't think anyone is trying to run him out of town. The media came out strongly against the Phil Nevin trade.

Q, from Phil: I sure hope Ken Griffey Jr. has a great year, then we could trade him and get something out of him. Maybe he is capable of putting up Barry Bonds-type numbers, but I wouldn't want that guy on the team either. All winter, we look forward to spring training. It is a chance to start anew. Everyone is in the race in February. Then I pick up the last couple of days' papers and am slapped in the face with Junior's whining. It makes me think twice about buying Reds tickets.

A: The flap over the flop quote isn't Griffey's fault. Bowden was being honest, but if he had said "it's too soon to evaluate the trade," that would have been truthful too. I wouldn't let Griffey's words affect my ticket-buying decision. Between the white lines, he gives fans their money's worth.

Q, from Ben: Don't you think it's about time that people stop bashing Bob Boone? Sure he makes some decisions that makes fans scratch their heads, but the simple fact of that matter is that managers impact affect the outcome of a game two or three times a season. Blame the players for not playing well or blame the front office for not providing the funds needed to compete. But, it appears to me that Bob Boone is doing an adequate job with what he has been given.

A: Or at least wait until he makes a decision worthy of head scratching.

Q, from Teresa: With the move of Aaron Boone to second and Brandon Larson taking over at third, it has gotten me thinking. If both players are hitting well but Boone is struggling defensively at second base, would there be a chance of trading Boone for a starting pitcher? I would like to see the Reds add Brad Penny from Florida.

A: I'd be shocked if Boone struggles at second; he has looked good there so far. And Penny is off the trading block.

Q, from Steven: It would seem having a catching tandem of Corky Miller and Kelly Stinnett, with Dane Sardinha playing every day at Triple-A, and getting something for Jason LaRue would be a better situation than the Reds currently have.

Does Jim Bowden think LaRue's really a No. 1 major league catcher, or does he not have any trade value? Also, the Reds overpaid for Stinnett, but I believe his contract is guaranteed, right?

A: Stinnett's contract is guaranteed. I would be surprised if the Reds haven't shopped LaRue. If Sardinha shows he's ready to hit in the majors, something has to give.

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E-mail jfay@enquirer.com