Back in December 2006, Ken Griffey Jr. broke his throwing hand. Junior and the Reds organization were mum on the subject of how it happened - leading to lots of speculation that it was a contract-affecting event (like a motorcycle accident). However, it’s recently come out how Junior broke his hand. He was wrestling with his kids …Â
Griffey was wrestling with his two sons, Trey and Tevin, and his daughter, Taryn, when 13-year old Trey knocked him off balance. Trying to avoid falling onto his kids, Griffey landed awkwardly on his left hand.Â
“My oldest hit me thinking he was Lawrence Taylor. He got me on an angle and there I went,” Griffey said. “(Trey) is 110, 115 pounds and he doesn’t know how strong he is. He got me low and lifted.” Â
Griffey says he’ll be ready to go for 2007, but just keep in mind Griffey’s myriad of 21st Century Injuries when you’re making your Group D picks…Â
2001 – Hamstring; 2002 – Torn Patellar Tendon, Quad, Hip Flexor; 2003 – Ankle, Shoulder; 2004 – Hamstring (missed 2nd Half); 2005 – Sprained Foot;  2006 – Knee, Dislocated Toe
Meanwhile … at ESPN, Jeff Pearlman posts a nice piece on the man he calls the “best of his generation†Â
As Bonds allegedly loaded up on the drugs and piled up the statistics, Griffey began to decline. One injury followed another — a sprain here, a break there — and his once-daunting speed vanished. What followed was a drop-off in Griffey’s outfield defense; it was still very good, just no longer Gary-Pettis-meets-God. The bat seemed to slow down a bit, too. What can you say? Getting old bites.  Â
With his decline, however, came something beautiful. Ken Griffey Jr. seemed to truly start appreciating the game. He took on a leadership role in the Cincinnati clubhouse … he cherished what he once was and appreciated what he had left.Â
I hope Griffey hits #600 this season. Because Junior just keeps getting up. And to increase the value of his Rookie Cards I have stashed in the basement somewhere.
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