Griffey sticks to the clean road, bumps and all

Some think it is time for the Reds to remove Griffey from center field at this point in his career for his own good. But Sean Casey is entrenched at first base, and, of course, there is no designated hitter in the NL. Besides, Griffey is adamant about remaining in center field for now, and the Reds are going into camp with the idea of keeping him there.

"I think going into the season our focus is on him playing center field unless there is some physical limitation that causes us to reconsider that," Reds general manager Dan O'Brien says. "So far, it doesn't appear to be an issue, but we'll see how the spring goes."

We'll see, indeed.

"He was very special," Piniella says. "Very special. I hope he stays healthy and does the things they expected him to do when he got there."

Time was he often was referred to as "The Natural," and boy, what we didn't know back then.

Now, as Griffey attempts to fight his way back into the spotlight, "The Natural" takes on all kinds of interesting meanings.