Is Ken Griffey back?

Sporting News, The, July 12, 2004

Yes--his brilliance made the Reds contenders.

As these words roll off my fingertips, Ken Griffey's hitless slump has persisted through 24 at-bats, and his batting average has plunged to .239. That's the longest drought of his career, unless you count all those games he didn't play in the past three years with the Reds.

This information is presented in the interest of full disclosure.

Because even with all that, if he is healthy, Griffey is still Junior. It's getting a bit precious to call a 34-year-old "Junior," but then, we still call George Herman Ruth "Babe," and he has been dead more than a half-century.

Griffey is on pace to hit 38 homers and drive in 111 runs. Each figure is better than his averages with Seattle. The one deficiency is his average (.299 in Seattle), but this star can be overemphasized with a run-producing power hitter.

Junior's brilliance is the most important reason the Reds are contenders in the N.L. Central. His presence has empowered bitters Adam Dunn and Sean Casey. His drive to reach 500 home runs drew spectators--many of whom promised to ignore the Reds after last year's salary dump--to Great American Ballpark.

It'd be nice to say he is 19 again, with all the exuberance and teenager's legs and stamina. But he's not. He is a man now, advancing toward middle age. There will be plenty of home runs before he gets there.--Mike DeCourcy

No--he's a shadow of his former self.

Thinking Ken Griffey is back because he is hitting a lot of home runs is like thinking Friends didn't go off the air because Joe), will be on in the fall. You are missing a few important parts.

Home runs always will be linked with Griffey. That perfect lefthanded swing. That black bat gliding through the strike zone. That poor ball getting crushed and then elevated to ridiculous heights until it clangs underneath some bleacher seats. That part of Griffey's game thankfully has returned after injuries wrecked his three previous seasons.

But remember what else he used to do? Remember the way he used to leap over the wall to take away home runs with such frequency that such catches almost could be called routine? Now, he simply is an adequate fielder. Remember the way he used to steal a base--or better yet, when he dashed from first to home on a double rattling in the corner? Now, he basically is a station-to-station baserunner. Remember the way he used to hit .300 (seven times in an eight-year span)? Now, when it comes to hitting for average, not only is Junior not back, he's not even Junior Spivey.

It's good that Griffey at least is relevant again. But he no longer is magical. He used to be. There's a place for him in Houston for All-Star week, but that place is the Home Run Derby.--Kyle Veltrop