Little Boy Lost

Dave Paisley

OK, hands up if anyone can tell me what Ken Griffey Jr. really wants. I thought not.

It's been barely two months since the end of the regular season, and my head's spinning trying to figure out Griffey's plan. He wants to be near his family, but moved them from Seattle to Florida a couple of years ago so he could hobnob with the likes of Tiger Woods. Seattle can't compete with that kind of weather and celebrity. Or bugs. So he demands a trade. Oh, but only to one of ten teams. Then one of seven. Then one of four. Oh, now it's down to one. But no, now he threatens to stay in Seattle next year and walk away at the end of the season.

At least the Mariners have handled this much better than the Randy Johnson deal. Then, former GM Woody Woodward didn't even offer Johnson a contract, not even a bad one, so he could at least say he made an effort. That gave Johnson and his agent the opportunity to beat the Mariners up in the press, keeping all the fan sympathy on their side. With Griffey, the much shrewder Gillick floated a hefty offer out there, putting the ball firmly in Griffey's court.

Perhaps nonplussed by the good will and willingness to negotiate the money upwards, Griffey demanded a trade. Not that he could even be clear and up front about that. No, he had to leak it out bit by bit, with a clarification here, an embellishment there. It was all about Payne Stewart's tragic death, but then it wasn't. He was misunderstood -- he didn't demand a trade, he just didn't want to play for the Mariners any more. Who knew what was going on in his mind?

Perhaps we can forgive Griffey for his illogical ways. Growing up the son of a relatively famous major leaguer, he surely never had to pay much attention in class. After all, when you're a famous superstar home run hitting baseball player, you only need to be able to count up to sixty or so (although Mark McGwire has now upped the mathematical ante a bit.) Born with a sliver bat in his mouth, Griffey has been accustomed to celebrity his entire life, although it hasn't ever cured him of his overall shyness. He's still an awkward kid when put on the spot by the media.

If it's true that he nixed the Mets deal because they also inquired about Alex Rodriguez, it confirms the rumors that Seattle isn't big enough for both of them. Which leads me to believe that Griffey wouldn't care to share the limelight on the Mets with Mike Piazza. Contrast that with Cincinnati, where his biggest competition for attention would be Dante Bichette. Griffey might get shut out at the buffet table, but he would certainly occupy the spotlight alone.

The only thing Griffey can be sure of right now is that Seattle fans are getting impatient with him. He's said he doesn't want to be here, yet he refuses to leave. We now know he's cost the team a deal for the Mets' Octavio Dotel, Roger Cedeno and Armando Benitez (plus maybe Dennis Cook.) The fans know what they could have had. Junior may be trying to bluff the Mariners into forcing a trade to the Reds for two sacks of cement and Bret Tomko, but if the Mariners call his bluff next year could be pretty rocky for him. He'd better understand what in store for him if he insists on staying in Seattle.

IF the buzz around town is anything to go by, he could be in for a rude awakening next year. I can't remember him ever being booed by the home fans, but it could happen next year. It may not happen during spring training, but a poor start to the season will inevitably sour the fans, and Seattle is notorious for poor starts.

Short of carrying this team on his shoulders to a World Series, Griffey could be in for a rough year with the Mariners, and center field will seem awfully lonely for this little boy lost.

about the author

Dave Paisley just loves a good mystery. Tell him how the plot of the "Case of the Mysterious Superstar" turns out at drdjp@strikethree.com.