Talking to Ken Griffey, Jr.
May 6, 1997

Seattle Mariners’ star center fielder, Ken Griffey, Jr. wants to revive America’s national pastime. An ambitious goal but Ken is used to accomplishing far reaching goals. At 27, he has hit 238 home runs in 8 seasons, won 7 straight Golden Glove Awards, and has been an All-Star for 7 consecutive seasons.

In his book "Junior: Griffey on Griffey" fans get a look at life of a superstar. Following Griffey throughout the 1996 season , editor Mark Vancil of Rare Air fame and award-winning sports photographer Walter Iooss, Jr. capture the baseball prodigy at work and play.

I had a chance to talk to Ken at his book signing at the Official All-Star Cafe Restaurant. He just happens to be part owner of the restaurant. I asked Ken what he thought would surprise people the most if they spent a day with him? And with a big smile he replied, "How boring I really am."

In "Junior," I learned some interesting things about the life of a baseball player. For example, just about every baseball player knows how to play at least one card game since this is the way they pass the time in the locker room before a game. Also, although the players love to play practical jokes on each other, the jokes never include touching another player’s baseball equipment because that is sacred.

And for you baseball player wannabes, Ken says that stretching and improving flexibility during the off-season is more important to him than lifting weights and running. And , no, he does not believe in strict diets. Also, Ken talks about his swing and how when he was younger he would mimic swings of all the Cincinnati Reds players, but then his father Ken Griffey, Sr., who was a Cincinnati Red at the time told him to just be himself. Ken now tells other kids, "Don’t be me. Just be yourself."

Sometimes as a reporter, it’s very frustrating to line-up interviews with some athletes because of their lack of trust or interest etc... in the media. Ken writes in " Junior" about a situation where he was burned by a poster company and a radio station and as a result he went into a shell after the incident. The story reminded me of how difficult it can be on the other side.

Ken said the reason why he wrote the book was "it was an opportunity for me to show people what it is like to be me. In my life, I always try to enjoy myself and play hard and keep smiling," said the multi-Golden Glove winner.

As the book shows, family is very important to him. It’s obvious his relationship with his father has shaped him in many ways. He told me his father gave him the following advice, "The same people you meet on the way up are the same people you meet on the way down so just be you." Ken must have taken his advice to heart, because after meeting him, I can tell you he is very down-to-earth person who just might be the "savior of baseball" after all.

After reading Junior, I have a good feeling about baseball again and now I look forward to smelling the aroma of hotdogs and peanuts and singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" in the very near future. I think I have found my dad the perfect Father’s Day present-the book "Junior: Griffey on Griffey".

A Little of This and a Little of That…

All Pro San Francisco 49er’s Linebacker Ken Norton, Jr. guest stars on an episode of "In the House" Monday, May 12th at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on UPN…Rumor has it that the Cleveland Indians and Major League Baseball are trying to line-up comedian/actor Drew Carey star of ABC’s "Drew Carey Show." They want Drew to play host for the celebrity baseball game which is part of the festivities for the week leading up to Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game being held this July in Cleveland. Drew is from Cleveland and owns a home there and is a big Indians fan. Sounds like a good match…

Newly married tennis legend John McEnroe joins another newlywed Brooke Shields, star of NBC‘s "Suddenly Susan" Thursday, May 8th at 8:30 ET/PT. John will play his dynamic self on the episode. Do you think he asked his ex-wife actress Tatum O’Neal for any acting tips?