Author: Peter Portero

Date: 4/28/2006

Is Griffey Too Old To Play?

When the comment is so much as said under one’s breath that Ken Griffey, Jr. may be wearing down, the speaker will likely get a few scowls or sarcastic comments. Griffey is likely one of the most popular players in the MLB and is well liked by almost everyone. However, he has been on the injury list eight times in the last six years. The good news for him and his team is that his current injury has been said to be the least serious of the seven times before.

Griffey has missed several games before being put on the list due to an inflamed knee tendon. He is 36 years old, but there have been players who could still play baseball past his age. Insiders claim Griffey not only went on the list because of his own inflamed knee injury, but also because it allowed his team, the Reds, to take catcher Jason LaRue off of the disabled list, which was important. Even Griffey has insinuated the decision to go on the injury list was not strictly related to his knee. However, if that is true, Ken Griffey, Jr. will once again be seen as the team player he is.

The Mets & Their Injuries

What’s going on with the Mets? They are doing great, but they are also sending players out injured left and right. In their game against Atlanta on April 18th, they were playing without three of their best starters. Carlos Beltran (center field), Cliff Floyd (left field) and Anderson Hernandez (second base) were all injured. Here’s a little info on each player and what’s going on.

Carlos Beltran: Carlos is suffering from tightness in his hamstring. It doesn’t look like he will need to go on the injury list and will be back on the field soon. He is training and trying to healing as fast as possible.

Cliff Floyd: Cliff did not play against Atlanta because he had strained a muscle in his rib cage. He was not expected to miss more than one game however, which is a good thing for the Mets. Willie Randolph doesn’t want to rush him however and may force him to sit out an extra day.

Anderson Hernandez: Andersen did not play due to back spasms and it is not known when he will return.

While these three players were sitting back and healing, those who were replacing them weren’t doing all that bad. Beltran was replaced by Endy Chavez. Floyd was replaced by Jose Valentin and Hernandez was replaced by Chris Woodward, who hit his first home run of the season.