OPINION -- Griffey backs out on Braves after AJC leak
Parker Ferren
Issue date: 3/10/09 Section: Sports
The Atlanta Braves were very close to signing future Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. for the upcoming season until a falsified story published by David O'Brian of the Atlanta-Journal Constitution hit the stands.
As final negotiations were taking place prior to the start of the new baseball season Ken Griffey Jr. expressed his interest in playing for the Atlanta Braves.
Everything seemed to be working out perfectly prior to the start of the season for Braves General Manager, Frank Wren, especially if he could acquire veteran slugger Griffey. He showed interest in the Braves and it seemed like he was going to sign. He was given a solid offer, a location only a quick plane flight away from his family's home in Orlando, and his house was only a mere 20 minute drive from Atlanta's spring training facilities.
Griffey had also shown interest in the Seattle Mariners, where he had entered his career and made a name for himself. Griffey started playing in the major leagues in 1989, and spent 10 seasons with the Mariners. From 2000-2007, Griffey played for the Cincinnati Reds. This year, he was finally a free agent.
After revealing interest in both the Mariners and the Braves, only time would tell where he would spend the next season.
Griffey seemed to be in no rush to make this decision, most likely because both teams seemed to be a perfect fit. However, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution couldn't wait.
Prior to his official announcement, David O'Brian from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution published an article entitled, "Griffey picks Braves over Mariners," which basically prematurely confirmed that he had decided to play with the Braves. The information in this article was based on a source that remained nameless, with no affiliation to the Braves or Major League Baseball. The next day, however, he officially announced his return to the Mariners, contrary to the article published by the AJC the day before.
According to an article on the Braves web site, 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.
As final negotiations were taking place prior to the start of the new baseball season Ken Griffey Jr. expressed his interest in playing for the Atlanta Braves.
Everything seemed to be working out perfectly prior to the start of the season for Braves General Manager, Frank Wren, especially if he could acquire veteran slugger Griffey. He showed interest in the Braves and it seemed like he was going to sign. He was given a solid offer, a location only a quick plane flight away from his family's home in Orlando, and his house was only a mere 20 minute drive from Atlanta's spring training facilities.
Griffey had also shown interest in the Seattle Mariners, where he had entered his career and made a name for himself. Griffey started playing in the major leagues in 1989, and spent 10 seasons with the Mariners. From 2000-2007, Griffey played for the Cincinnati Reds. This year, he was finally a free agent.
After revealing interest in both the Mariners and the Braves, only time would tell where he would spend the next season.
Griffey seemed to be in no rush to make this decision, most likely because both teams seemed to be a perfect fit. However, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution couldn't wait.
Prior to his official announcement, David O'Brian from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution published an article entitled, "Griffey picks Braves over Mariners," which basically prematurely confirmed that he had decided to play with the Braves. The information in this article was based on a source that remained nameless, with no affiliation to the Braves or Major League Baseball. The next day, however, he officially announced his return to the Mariners, contrary to the article published by the AJC the day before.
According to an article on the Braves web site, 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.
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