The newest Jay, John-Ford Griffin, was interviewed by Spencer Fordin on MLB's official site.
I knew there was an explanation for Griffin's 2002 second half; this also explains his AFL performance and lack of power:
A high-and-tight fastball hit him, and he didn't get a lucky break. Griffin's hand wasn't broken, but he said he might have been better off if it had been.
"It caused a lot of problems," he said. "I had a bone contusion, which caused a lot of inflammation and started damaging some of my nerves. I ended up getting tendinitis. It didn't heal for four months.
If JFG has a good first half in AA, I'm sure he'll get a chance in Syracuse before the end of the year, and maybe a September callup to Toronto, just to get acquainted with big-league life. I like his self-description:
"I consider myself a great fundamental hitter and I like to walk a lot. I don't try to hit the game-winning home run when it's the bottom of the ninth," he said. "I'll get on base and let the guy behind me drive me in. That's always the way I've been.
Griffin gets the Paul O'Neill comparison a lot, but I prefer to think of him as a fast John Olerud.
A high-and-tight fastball hit him, and he didn't get a lucky break. Griffin's hand wasn't broken, but he said he might have been better off if it had been.
"It caused a lot of problems," he said. "I had a bone contusion, which caused a lot of inflammation and started damaging some of my nerves. I ended up getting tendinitis. It didn't heal for four months.
If JFG has a good first half in AA, I'm sure he'll get a chance in Syracuse before the end of the year, and maybe a September callup to Toronto, just to get acquainted with big-league life. I like his self-description:
"I consider myself a great fundamental hitter and I like to walk a lot. I don't try to hit the game-winning home run when it's the bottom of the ninth," he said. "I'll get on base and let the guy behind me drive me in. That's always the way I've been.
Griffin gets the Paul O'Neill comparison a lot, but I prefer to think of him as a fast John Olerud.
I quite liked this cobbled-together excerpt:
Mike Martin, who coached Griffin at FSU, has called him the best hitter he's ever had on his team, [including J.D. Drew]. ... "I know J.D. pretty well," Griffin said, "and I'm sure he doesn't think that."
Is it just me, or is that a nicely delivered put-down of everyone's favourite holdout? I hope it's the latter; JD Drew bugs me.
Mike Martin, who coached Griffin at FSU, has called him the best hitter he's ever had on his team, [including J.D. Drew]. ... "I know J.D. pretty well," Griffin said, "and I'm sure he doesn't think that."
Is it just me, or is that a nicely delivered put-down of everyone's favourite holdout? I hope it's the latter; JD Drew bugs me.
Yeah, Jordan, that sounds like what a very polite and humble young man might say about someone with a big ego. Like the stuff you tell others about me. I apologize for being such an infrequent visitor the last couple of days -- work got in the way -- and am hoping to catch up on other threads later today.
To hijack this one, I got a request (from someone who "found" us via Gizzi's ESPN column) to be put on the BB mailing list, which doesn't exist, but is a fine suggestion. We are already putting in a lot of time, and we're paid less than we're worth (most of us) but if the other Authors agree and there's any reader demand, we could at least send a weekly review of hot topics and hints about what's upcoming. (Sunday's slow here anyway.) Feedback is welcomed.
To hijack this one, I got a request (from someone who "found" us via Gizzi's ESPN column) to be put on the BB mailing list, which doesn't exist, but is a fine suggestion. We are already putting in a lot of time, and we're paid less than we're worth (most of us) but if the other Authors agree and there's any reader demand, we could at least send a weekly review of hot topics and hints about what's upcoming. (Sunday's slow here anyway.) Feedback is welcomed.
A mailing list is a brilliant idea! That way we won't get busted on the web everyday at work.
Eddie Zosky's in favour!
Eddie Zosky's in favour!
Eddie Z, and everyone else who's interested: send me the e-mail address where you want the newsletter delivered. It won't be much more than a recap of the previous week's best articles and comments, and a preview of what's on deck, at least for now. If there's popular demand, we'll try to expand the format. But it's a good way to keep in touch, and when the inevitable special events (like a BB game at the Dome) are scheduled, we'd like all our readers to know. One thing I'm considering as a condition of joining the BB fantasy league is some kind of "ID" beyond a pseudonym and a Hotmail account, but for this proposed mailing list you can be anyone, anywhere.
http://www.iseekstuff.com/nucleus2.5beta/dohpaz.php
I just love how pure of a hitter he is. He does have quite a bit of power, but his ability to get on base is what is impressive. That and his overall disposition and outlook on the game, is nothing short of professional.
I just love how pure of a hitter he is. He does have quite a bit of power, but his ability to get on base is what is impressive. That and his overall disposition and outlook on the game, is nothing short of professional.