Fred McGriff and his 491 Homers sign with Triple A Durham Bulls.

[wilheim]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) Fred McGriff may yet get his chance to reach 500 home runs.
The 40-year-old slugger has decided to join Triple-A Durham, and the sagging Tampa Bay Devil Rays expect to promote him to the majors by the end of May. ''I think three left-handed hitters in the lineup hitting .200 or below prompts us to make this move,'' Tampa Bay general manager Chuck LaMar said Wednesday. ''Fred McGriff gives us an experienced bat in the line up. We're looking for offense.''
McGriff is nine home runs short of 500.
The Devil Rays were a major league worst 10-27 entering Wednesday night's game against Boston. They were hitting an AL-low .239, and their DHs were batting .157.
''Fred's had a wonderful career. Hopefully we'll be in a position to give him an opportunity to hit his nine home runs and he in turn can help us win some baseball games,'' manager Lou Piniella said.

Last season, the first in which he spent time on the disabled list, McGriff hit a career-low .249 with 13 homers and 40 RBIs in 86 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Devil Rays signed McGriff to a minor league contract for spring training, giving him a chance to show he was healthy. After finding no takers, the Tampa native stayed home to get in shape.

The first baseman/DH will play in Durham's game Thursday night.

''We expect by the end of the month for him to be ready to be called up and will be called up to the major leagues provided he's healthy at that time,'' LaMar said.

''He's been working out everyday,'' he said. ''Staying in shape is not a problem for Fred McGriff. Getting in baseball shape is what he needs to do in the next couple weeks. That's what he'll do in Durham.''

McGriff was traded from Atlanta to the Devil Rays before the club's inaugural season in 1998. He played 3½ seasons for Tampa Bay before reluctantly accepting a trade to the Chicago Cubs in July 2001. A .285 hitter over 18 seasons with the Blue Jays, Padres, Braves, Devil Rays, Cubs and Dodgers, McGriff has 1,543 career RBIs.


wil.

 

[Schouest]

The Braves could use him back..no one can hit there !!

 

[WildBill]

That is a no brainer for a team with no attendance, once he gets a couple short of 500 they will fill extra seats. Nice touch though if he gets to take his shot in his hometown though.

 

[Journeyman]

The way they look they will probably lose 110 games minimum...what else will those fans have to look forward to anyway? Maybe a Lou Pinella tirade or two...

And speaking of ATL, I can`t believe Franco is still a semi regular player lol...I thought he came up to ATL three seasons ago to patch a hole at 1st, not stay for 3 years lol!

 

[Horseshoe]

That man does it with class!

One of may favs the past 15 years.

[This message was edited by Horseshoe on May 29, 2004 at 01:35 AM.]

 

[WildBill]

I still remember sports games on computer where you didn't really play, you just watched text descriptions. Or worse yet, those early versions of Madden where all you had to do is find one good play and you could beat the computer with it 9 times out of 10. I remember I put the Broncos into Run N'Shoot formation (something I thought they should do) and I would run the same pass pattern and every time Ricky Nattiel was wide open for at least 40 yards. Finding that play took all of about 4 games and after that the whole thing was too easy.

 

[wilheim]

Annie and "Crash" exchanging glances.

wil.

 

[Horseshoe]

Really enjoyed him as a Padre, made nice money off he, Gwynn, & Shef during that era.

[This message was edited by Horseshoe on May 29, 2004 at 01:37 AM.]

 

[PeteRoseJR]

The Blue Jays will sign him in the next little while.

 

[Horseshoe]

Sarandon looked hot in that film, and has aged very well, as she falls into that rare category(like a Suzette Somers,etc..) of women that look hotter in their 40s and 50s than when in their 20s.

I'm sure that their plastic surgeon's frequent buyer miles card has something to do with it.

 

[GreenDoberman]

One of the last classy guys left in MLB and one of the true great "non-steroid" power hitters of our generation.(Freddy didn't even lift weights)
I truly hope Crime Dog gets his 500th.
Try and find anything negative ever said about Mr. McGriff on or off the field.

 

[RIOSHILL]

Love, love, love that guy. All class. Hope he gets it. He is better than a lot of guys who are currently in the bigs IMO. Go Crime Dog!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[wilheim]

D-Rays bring up Crime Dog.

Fred McGriff will get another chance to reach 500 home runs.
Hoping to add some offensive pop, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays called up McGriff from Triple-A Durham on Friday.

The 40-year-old first baseman-designated hitter has 491 career homers, and is trying to become the 20th player in major league history to make it to the milestone.

McGriff is a Tampa Bay native who played for the Devil Rays from their inception in 1998 until being traded to the Chicago Cubs in 2001.

He signed a minor league contract with Tampa Bay in the offseason and was invited to spring training. He was reassigned to minor league camp when the season began.

After working out on his own, McGriff joined Durham on May 20 and hit .238 with a home run and four RBIs in seven games.

McGriff is the Devil Rays' career leader in most offensive categories, including batting average (.295), home runs (95) and RBI (352).

The five-time All-Star was slowed by injuries last year that limited him to 86 games, 13 home runs and 40 RBI for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He went on the disabled list for the first time and hit a career-low .249.

McGriff is a lifetime .285 hitter over 19 major league seasons with the Blue Jays, Padres, Braves, Rays, Cubs and Dodgers.

To make room for McGriff, outfielder Jonny Gomes was optioned to Durham.

The Devil Rays open a weekend series at home against the New York Yankees on Friday night.

AP NEWS

 

[wilheim]

Crime Dog Sighting.

Fred McGriff's first homer of the season sent the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on their way to a rare road win. McGriff's two-run shot, the 492nd homer of his career, opened the scoring as the Devil Rays beat the Minnesota Twins 7-3 Monday. McGriff, making his second start for the Devil Rays since he was brought up from the minor leagues Friday, homered for the first time since last Sept. 2. The homer off Seth Greisinger (3-3) landed in the first row of the upper deck in right field.

Asked if he knew the ball was gone when he hit it, McGriff replied, "No, that was my first homer in a long time, so you never know."

He also downplayed the race to 500 homers, a feat accomplished only by 19 players.

"One at a time," McGriff said. "I'm here to hit the ball. I'm trying to make adjustments. I've survived a lot of years by making adjustments."

CBS Sportsline.

 

[vinividivinci]

Question

If he gets to 500 does he advance to Hall of Fame? Does anyone have 500 aand iss not going in?


VVV

 

[wilheim]

Most likely 500 homers or 300 wins and you are pretty much automatic. McGriff may be the first real test case for 500 homers though. Cannot see him getting in on first try.


wil.

 

[Mr.Jones]

McGriff is in after he hits 500 dingers. He will have done it the old fashioned way....without enhancements. That will count in his favor. Should be a lock.