Griffey says size doesn't matter

MANILA, Philippines –  Baseball superstar Ken Griffey Jr. said the other day he foresees a bright future for the Philippines in America’s favorite game and dismissed size as a hindrance in developing high-performance athletes, no matter the sport.

Griffey Jr., 41, was in town with brother Craig and former minor league pitcher Joe Logan to conduct a series of clinics under the Sports Envoy Program of the Sports United Office of the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

At a reception in US Ambassador Harry Thomas’ Makati residence last Wednesday, Griffey Jr. was introduced to Sen. Richard Gordon, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Richie Garcia, International Olympic Committee representative to the Philippines Frank Elizalde, PBA legend Bobby Parks and son Ray, among other guests.

Asked how to transform a basketball-crazy country into a baseball hotbed, Griffey Jr. said it’s all about exposing the youth to the “field of dreams.” Thomas, who has a special place in his heart for baseball because of his admiration for Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson, said with the assistance of the PSC, Gawad Kalinga, Manila Jaycees and the Philippine Amateur Baseball Association, the US embassy has brought the New York Mets’ 1972 motto “You Gotta Believe” to kids playing baseball in Tondo from the ashes of the former dumpsite Smokey Mountain.

“I’m told that baseball used to be a popular sport in the Philippines back in the ‘30s, ‘40s and ‘50s,” said Griffey Jr. “So there’s a foundation you can build on. During the clinics, I was impressed by the Filipino coaches who are very knowledgeable and the players who showed up. You’ve got some serious talent out there. My role was just to get the ball rolling and share some insights. There was this kid, for instance, who went up to bat, stood up straight then crouched as the pitch came in. I suggested to the kid to crouch right from stepping up to the plate so there’s no wasted motion. Sure enough, when he swung, that ball went about 15 yards farther.”

Griffey Jr. said the Filipinos’ lack of size relative to American players is not a relevant issue.

“Size doesn’t matter in sports,” said Griffey Jr. who turned pro with the Seattle Mariners in 1989 and retired last June, finishing his career at No. 5 in the all-time homerun ladder. “Dustin Pedroia (of the Boston Red Sox) is less than 5-9 and won the American League MVP trophy in 2008. Nate Robinson is 5-9 and he’s playing in the NBA. Spud Webb was another NBA player who made it despite his size. What’s more important than size is your willingness to practice, practice more and practice some more. It takes a lot of hard work to succeed in sports. The basics of playing the game are the same from the high school level to college to the pros. What changes are the people watching. When you’re in high school, your parents and grandparents are watching. When you’re in college, it’s friends. And when you’re in the pros, you’re talking of over 30,000 people, your family and friends included.”

Griffey Jr. was an American League MVP, All-Star Game MVP, National League Comeback Player of the Year, a three-time home run derby winner and a member of the Major League Baseball All-Century Team. But his most cherished moment in baseball wasn’t related to any honor. It was the chance to play with his father Ken Sr. They played 51 games together with the Mariners before Ken Sr. retired in 1991.

Griffey Jr. was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1987 draft as a 17-year-old left-hander. On Aug. 31, 1990, the Griffeys made history by becoming the first father and son to play for the same team in the same game. Ken Sr. was 40. In the stands cheering with thousands was Ken Sr.’s wife and Griffey Jr.’s mother Birdie.

Griffey Jr. said he will always be grateful for his father’s support. There was never any pressure to excel, just fatherly encouragement. It’s that same support that Griffey Jr. gives to his three children – Trey, 17, a 6-2 high school junior football player, Taryn, 15, a 5-5 basketball guard and Tevin, 8, who’s at the age where he’s trying out all sports.

Griffey Jr. said he makes it a point not to influence their choice of sport. All Griffey Jr. wants is for the children to enjoy playing. It’s the same thing he wants for Filipino kids – to enjoy playing sports. If it’s baseball they choose to play, Griffey Jr. said the infrastructure must be able to provide coaches and leagues so the kids can develop into achievers. And they couldn’t look to a more inspiring baseball hero than Griffey Jr.