Junior Isn't As Petty As Atlanta Would Like To Think He Is
by Jeff Sullivan on Feb 19, 2009 8:19 PM PST
in Miscellaneous
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PrintA couple Atlanta journalists have been getting ripped apart for prematurely leaking the Griffey-to-Braves rumor, a leak that many feel led in part to Junior changing his mind. Turns out that, yeah, that's just a pile of poop.
Sources have indicated that Griffey's tide turned shortly after he became upset with the fact that The Atlanta Journal-Constitution was reporting that he'd already decided to play for the Braves.
But Wren said the fact that the silence came after this report was published was purely coincidental. Griffey's decision was based on the lifetime opportunities that Seattle will provide him.
In other words, David O'Brien and Mark Bowman deserve none of the credit for saving Atlanta from a giant mistake. So much for living the dream. Influencing Griffey's decision were his history in Seattle, heavy lobbying by Chuck Armstrong, input from his family, Willie Mays, and Hank Aaron, and apparently a lifetime personal services contract that would keep Griffey on the Mariner payroll after he retires. I'm not sure what he'd do, exactly, but Aaron got the same deal with the Braves and currently works as a senior VP, so I wouldn't be surprised if there's the chance for Junior to get pretty high up if he desires. Alternatively he might just fill the pull-me-out-of-my-coffin-whenever-you-need-people-to-forget-about-the-present-for-a-little-while spot currently occupied by Jay Buhner, but now I'm just guessing. In the end, all that really matters here is that, with the lifetime contract, 1995 fever promises to be alive in Seattle longer than many of us. Here's to change, and never having to experience it.
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“It’s just another person who shunned us,” said [Chipper] Jones, while eluding to the fact that the Braves also felt they were close to completing deals to acquire Rafael Furcal and Jake Peavy this offseason.
It’s not them, it’s you.
Three's a trend.
It's hard to convince people to let you eat them if you're an asshole. - Thingray
The chance to point out Chipper Jones being butthurt over his friend's "betrayal is too good to pass up.
by JI on Feb 19, 2009 8:42 PM PST up reply actions
Your name is Chipper, you douche.
61/755: KGJ's homer totals, or Rosie O'Donnell's age/weight in 2019?
Actually it's Larry.
But come on, whatever else you think of Chipper, you have to admire the man for naming his son Shea because that’s where he enjoyed hitting (and sticking it to the Mets) most of all. It’s both a name and sweet, sweet insult.
Patriotism, Pepper, Professionalism
I ogled a stripper named Shea
on many occasions. She was a hot female Calilfornian though.
by hairofthedawg on Feb 20, 2009 6:54 PM PST up reply actions
This comment confuses me.
Is there something wrong with being a hot girl from California?
by appleshampoo on Feb 20, 2009 10:29 PM PST up reply actions
"the pull-me-out-of-my-coffin-whenever-you-need-people-to-forget-about-the-present-for-a-little-while spot "
It’s a sweet gig.
I think that's what I am for my current band.
61/755: KGJ's homer totals, or Rosie O'Donnell's age/weight in 2019?
Seriously...
and apparently a lifetime personal services contract that would keep Griffey on the Mariner payroll after he retires. I’m not sure what he’d do, exactly, but Aaron got the same deal with the Braves and currently works as a senior VP, so I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s the chance for Junior to get pretty high up if he desires.
This is a no-brainer offering that I’m nevertheless happy Armstrong offered. No matter what the on-tield metrics were, this was something I think the team was correct in offering.
Anyone know what the heck a "lifetime opportunity" is?
That just makes it sounds like Griffey is going to a retirement community, and not a city.
Actually…
Oh god
There is a great Game of Life/Griffey photoshop opportunity here.
CURSE THESE STUPID FINGERS
I am guessing in his game of Life..
He’ll be retiring to Millionaire Estates even though he skipped college at the beginning.
by seamariners85 on Feb 20, 2009 4:31 PM PST up reply actions
I believe it's a cameo on the Lifetime network.
Likely as an extra in a coffee shop wherein Sandra gets sexually harassed on the glass of a pinball machine, but luckily John is there to protect her and call the cops. Sandra sadly has to live with this for the rest of her life. She no longer can muster her strength to play pinball, either. Pretty hard hitting script.
61/755: KGJ's homer totals, or Rosie O'Donnell's age/weight in 2019?
by kevin_ess on Feb 20, 2009 12:23 AM PST up reply actions 2 recs
What the hell kind of coffee shop
Has a pinball machine!?
Free Stephen "Awesome" Strasburg!
by seattlecougar on Feb 21, 2009 11:20 AM PST up reply actions
Tim Hudson is not pleased with these chain of events
But there was clearly some bitterness over the turn of events, some of it directed at media outlets that reported Griffey had decided to play for Atlanta. Pitcher Tim Hudson got into a heated argument in the clubhouse with a newspaper reporter, claiming his story angered Griffey and led him to back out of dealings with the Braves. A team official had to step in and lead Hudson to a back room.
You can't hide from the omnipresent eye.
From what I can tell
Hudson was more upset about speculation on who would be removed from the 40-man to make room.
by Jeff Sullivan on Feb 20, 2009 9:14 AM PST up reply actions
You have no idea.
To me, him signing is breaking my heart. Has broken my heart.
Can’t disagree with any of you guys here, really. A beat-writer doesn’t have the influence or power to completely scare off a free-agent. It’s a little silly blame-game that’s being played, with fans and players overreacting-much, and Chipper Jones mouthing off his typical candid opinion, that gets quoted nationally because he’s Chipper Jones (douchey-name-or-not). I just don’t see the point; and in a week, all of this will have been washed over, anyway.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
FWIW...
Chipper Jones is probably the most criminally underrated player in history, followed closely by Bert Blyleven and (gaining ground quickly) Adrian Beltre. I don’t care if he’s being a fool here, he’s still a freakin’ awesome player…
This signature space for rent.
by PositivePaul on Feb 20, 2009 9:17 AM PST up reply actions
Just as long as it doesn't say Guardado, we should be fine...
This signature space for rent.
by PositivePaul on Feb 20, 2009 9:36 AM PST up reply actions
per Goldberg on KJR.
He says he wanted to get something done at the start of the off-season, but that Zduriencik told them that if the Ms were interested in Jr, it wouldn’t be until the end of the off-season, as they were a new FO and had to get their team set., which Goldberg says he understood. He also says one other NL team was a little interested.
He claims that Chuck did not push Zduriencik at all, though Chuck did keep in contact with Goldberg.
Just before the ProAm, they talked to Ms, and then the next day the Braves called.
He stopped in Phoenix, talked & took a physical. Monday met with Wren & Cox, and then the emotional back & forth started, making lists and trying to decide where to go. Goldberg says that Jr never made a decision one way or the other, until Tues when his daughter said, I’m the one whose games will be most affected, but I say go to Seattle
She needs to come and throw out the first pitch for Opening Day.
I fucking hate you Mariners
by kentroyals5 on Feb 20, 2009 12:36 PM PST up reply actions
Well....
since she is 12-13 and already playing heavy-duty AAU ball, she might well throw better than some pitchers we could name…
Sign Her! Sign Her!
Then sign Senior to a 1-day contract. Call ’em both up, let Jr. play LF, Sr. DH, and she can pitch in relief! 3 generations!!!
This signature space for rent.
by PositivePaul on Feb 20, 2009 1:09 PM PST up reply actions
I think we all can enjoy
some deadspin article about Griffey.
by Edgar for Pres on Feb 20, 2009 11:24 AM PST reply actions
The HOF is full of guys who weren't cuddly with the media.
Narcissistic media folks never seem to grasp this.
"We are a bad defensive team." -B. Cashman
This is why it was a bad deal
he might just fill the pull-me-out-of-my-coffin-whenever-you-need-people-to-forget-about-the-present-for-a-little-while spot currently occupied by Jay Buhner
I know that the Mariners have stunk the past few years…but I don’t want to relive ’95 or any other Griffey year, or any other year in the past anymore. Time to just roll with the present and hope for the best in the future.
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