Post by Fish Troll on Jan 17, 2007 22:19:59 GMT -5
Griffey willing to give right field a try
Manager Jerry Narron: 'He wants to do what's best for the Cincinnati Reds.
By Hal McCoy
Staff Writer
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
CINCINNATI — The expected news is that Ken Griffey Jr. remains on schedule to be ready for spring training. The unexpected news is that right field may be in his future for the Cincinnati Reds.
Griffey and manager Jerry Narron have talked about the possibility of Griffey switching to right field and Griffey is open-minded about the possibility.
"Griffey is very open to doing what he can do to be on the field more," Narron said. "He realizes that Kirby Puckett moved (to right field) and that Cal Ripken, Jr. moved to third base.
"He wants to do what is best for the Cincinnati Reds," Narron added. "He realizes that to be on the field more he has to change positions."
Before moving, Griffey wants to be certain somebody better can play center field, the position Griffey has played since signing his first major-league contract in 1987.
Narron probably will play Ryan Freel and others in center and have Griffey play some right field the first couple weeks of spring training.
Said Narron, "If we started spring training tomorrow, Griffey would be in center field, but right field in spring training is a possibility.
"He was deeply disappointed that he missed September (dislocated toe on his right foot) in that we came so close and he wasn't able to help," Narron added. "I don't like to talk about what my players and I talk about, but I was very pleased with the way he sounded when we talked about this some late last year."
When the Reds report in mid-February, Griffey will be ready to play, according to team medical director Dr. Tim Kremchek.
X-rays showed that Griffey's broken left hand is healing as anticipated, and the hard cast was removed and replaced by a removable splint that the Reds' outfielder will wear for two weeks.
Griffey broke his hand three weeks ago while playing with his son, Trey, at their Florida home.
"It truly was nothing sinister," said Griffey's Cincinnati-based agent, Brian Goldberg. "It was a family thing, playing in the backyard with his kids and has nothing to do with a dirt bike. He wants to tell all the beat writers at one time what happened."
Contact this reporter at hmccoy@DaytonDailyNews.com.
Manager Jerry Narron: 'He wants to do what's best for the Cincinnati Reds.
By Hal McCoy
Staff Writer
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
CINCINNATI — The expected news is that Ken Griffey Jr. remains on schedule to be ready for spring training. The unexpected news is that right field may be in his future for the Cincinnati Reds.
Griffey and manager Jerry Narron have talked about the possibility of Griffey switching to right field and Griffey is open-minded about the possibility.
"Griffey is very open to doing what he can do to be on the field more," Narron said. "He realizes that Kirby Puckett moved (to right field) and that Cal Ripken, Jr. moved to third base.
"He wants to do what is best for the Cincinnati Reds," Narron added. "He realizes that to be on the field more he has to change positions."
Before moving, Griffey wants to be certain somebody better can play center field, the position Griffey has played since signing his first major-league contract in 1987.
Narron probably will play Ryan Freel and others in center and have Griffey play some right field the first couple weeks of spring training.
Said Narron, "If we started spring training tomorrow, Griffey would be in center field, but right field in spring training is a possibility.
"He was deeply disappointed that he missed September (dislocated toe on his right foot) in that we came so close and he wasn't able to help," Narron added. "I don't like to talk about what my players and I talk about, but I was very pleased with the way he sounded when we talked about this some late last year."
When the Reds report in mid-February, Griffey will be ready to play, according to team medical director Dr. Tim Kremchek.
X-rays showed that Griffey's broken left hand is healing as anticipated, and the hard cast was removed and replaced by a removable splint that the Reds' outfielder will wear for two weeks.
Griffey broke his hand three weeks ago while playing with his son, Trey, at their Florida home.
"It truly was nothing sinister," said Griffey's Cincinnati-based agent, Brian Goldberg. "It was a family thing, playing in the backyard with his kids and has nothing to do with a dirt bike. He wants to tell all the beat writers at one time what happened."
Contact this reporter at hmccoy@DaytonDailyNews.com.
