A return to greatness?

Griffey Jr. looks to be in shape and healthy

Throughout spring training, SI.com will feature regular dispatches from Sports Illustrated staffers assigned to scout camps in the Grapefruit and Cactus leagues.

By Jeff Pearlman, Sports Illustrated

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Site: Sarasota, Fla.

Weather: Hot and sunny

Player I Saw Whom I Really Liked: Ken Griffey, Jr. An interesting man, Junior. He's been in camp for two days, and he's more or less treated the media like pieces of rotted fruit. Yet, for some reason, I've always had a soft spot for the guy. Griffey is one of the few stars who does not look as if he uses steroids, human growth hormone or any other supplements. Whereas the tops of many players' lockers house an array of pills, Griffey's is barren. Mood swings be damned, give Junior credit: He's clean, and everyone knows it.

Happiness, however, is another question. Reds GM Jim Bowden recently called the trade for Griffey a flop, and on Thursday the two stood side by side for 15 minutes, far away from reporters. Bowden did 99.9 percent of the talking, while Junior stood like a statue, arms crossed. Less than two months earlier, Bowden had nearly shipped Griffey to the Padres for Phil Nevin.

What was exchanged? "No comment," said Bowden.

To the Reds' delight, Griffey appears to be in excellent shape. He hit several balls out of Ed Smith Stadium during BP, and the strained hamstring that's been bugging him for the past two seasons looks to be healed. Will he return to superstar status? Stay tuned ...

Around the Horn: Manager Bob Boone has always been known as a chronic lineup changer, but this is ridiculous. The Reds are toying with the idea of having outfielder Adam Dunn -- 6-foot-6, 240-pound -- hit leadoff. Although Dunn stole 19 bases last season, he's as good a fit for the leadoff slot as Emmanuel Lewis is for performing Hamlet. ... The Reds are thrilled with the progress of right-hander Pete Harnisch, a non-roster invitee who missed all of last season with Colorado after having elbow surgery. Harnisch is throwing the ball well, and will be given a shot to make the team's so-so rotation. ... Infielder Ryan Freel, a non-roster invitee who batted .261 at Class AAA Durham last year, set a team record by measuring 4.5 percent body fat. Says Bowden: "That's almost invisible." ... In Jose Guillen and Ruben Mateo, the Reds have two of the majors' top four or five outfield throwers. Mateo has a spotty fitness reputation, but he's in incredible shape, and might finally live up to the can't-miss label Texas pinned on him four years ago. ... Ryan Dempster threw 15 minutes of BP and looked awesome. With the Marlins, he was annually the best spring training BP pitcher, and nothing has changed. ... The Reds players have taken up a collection for Kiley Bechler, the widow of late Orioles pitcher Steve Bechler. ... After Thursday's workout, Aaron Boone, Dempster, Danny Graves and Barry Larkin spent 45 minutes singing (badly) into a TV camera. They were filming a commercial for the team's brand-new Great American Ball Park. ... Harnisch, upon spotting Bowden in a yellow baseball-themed shirt: "I usually make fun of your clothes, Jim. But that one, I like." ... Cincinnati's camp might not feature the most beautiful field or the largest fan contingent, but it is right across the street from Gus' 12th Street Cafe, the best breakfast joint this writer has ever experienced.

Sports Illustrated senior writer Jeff Pearlman will check in periodically with reports from his tour of spring camps. Click here to send a question to his Spring Training Mailbag.

 

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