By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

PHILADELPHIA - The conspiracy theorists among the Philadelphia sporting media thought Ken Griffey Jr.'s absence from the Reds lineup had nothing to do with rest.

Griffey, of course, is one short of the 500-home run mark. The Reds are returning home today to start a three-game series with the Texas Rangers.

Sitting Griffey on Monday against the Philadelphia Phillies greatly increases the chances of the homer happening in Cincinnati.

Reds manager Dave Miley, who made the call after talking it over with Griffey, said he had no mandate from Reds management.

"I didn't talk to anyone back home about this," Miley said. "Junior's a little beat up. Mentally and physically, he could use a day."

Griffey was available to pinch-hit, and Miley said he would use him if the game dictated it.

Griffey had played 36 games in a row, starting 35 in center field.

Griffey was OK with the decision.

"It was a mutual decision," Griffey said, ". . . 36 games in a row."

Griffey hasn't played in more than 36 consecutive games since the 2000 season.

He had a streak of 52 (April 3 to May 31) and 73 (June 2 to Aug. 23) that year.

Griffey missed Opening Day with a strained calf and May 3-4 with a tight right hamstring. He had played in every other game going into Monday.

"He's one of our main guys who hasn't had a day," Miley said.

Griffey would prefer to get to 500 at home. But that isn't the overriding factor. He just missed No. 500 in Cleveland Sunday.

"It's one of those things you can't control," he said. "When it happens it happens. You can't pick your spots."

The day off was not preplanned. If it had been, Griffey's family - a 22-person traveling party - would not have come to Philly from Cleveland.

Griffey is controlling one thing about the moment: Marty Brennaman or Joe Nuxhall will call No. 500 on the radio.

Griffey made the request that Brennaman be at the mike during at-bats where Griffey had a chance at 500, rather Steve Stewart.

"I grew up listening to those guys," Griffey said. "They're part of Cincinnati history. I would have done the same thing in Seattle with Dave Neihaus.

"It's no disrespect to Steve Stewart."

Brennaman did not want the arrangement.

"It's not my idea," he said. "I don't politic. I made the biggest call in history when it comes to milestones (Pete Rose's 4192nd hit). I don't need this."

Brennaman tried to nix the deal.

"I talked to (chief operating officer) John Allen and he said this is Junior's request," Brennaman said. "John's my boss, I'll do it."

Stewart understood.

"I'd do the same thing," he said. "I'm happy to be here."

Nuxhall is working the Texas series. He and Brennaman will work their regular innings.

"For me, it's just trying to get it over with and we can move on," Griffey said.

"The team is more important than milestones. I want a championship ring and that's what I play for. Individual accomplishments will come."