What's so great about Moeller? Well, for many, many years Moeller was the premier football high school in the nation. It was so good that Notre Dame once offered its coach, Gerry Faust, the Irish head coaching position simply because of what he had achieved at Moeller. People moved to Cincinnati just so their kids could play football there.
He played football for Moeller for three years, and so did his brother, Craig, who went on to join the Buckeyes as a defensive back.
But he also played a little baseball, too. It was in his blood, you see. His father was a pretty good baseball player and being his dad's kid, he, too, naturally took a big interest in the sport.
And today, he is one of the most feared hitters in the major leagues. But he is not egotistical about it, even if he has been accused of admiring his long shots once too often.
"I'm in a Catch-22. No matter what I do it's 'OK that's him, that's what he is supposed to do.' Look at Michael Jordan's situation," he says. "Before he retired people would say, 'What's wrong with Mike?' if he didn't score 50 or make an incredible dunk in a game. "
Yes, we do expect him to hit home runs. In fact we have perhaps expected too much of this kid who now lives in Issaquah, Wash., with his wife, Melissa, 3-year-old son, Trey Kenneth, and 2-year-old daughter, Taryn Kennedy.
He was named the player of the year in baseball in 1986 and in 1987. And on Aug. 31, 1990, he actually had the honor playing in the same game at the same time with his dad. He's been an All-Star several times, and yes, he has appeared in movies. He's even had a candy bar named after him and was a presidential candidate (sort of).
In 1996, he became the seventh youngest player in baseball history to hit 200 homers. And this year, he has chased the great Babe Ruth and Roger Maris for most homers in a season.
Naturally, he is Ken Griffey's son, the kid we call Junior. And while we may adore that youthful grin and that quick bat, we sometimes forget he's just a guy playing a game. Consider what he said this season about that home run chase:
"I really don't worry about that. I can't worry about what the media writes, it's all hype anyway. You just have to put yourself in the situation to break all those records, then anything can happen. The media has a job to do and I have a job to do, but they can't bother me from 6:15 p.m. on."
Being a member of the media (yeah, I got the credentials), I would have to say he's very smart, too.
YADA, YADA, YADA: OK, motormouths, are you ready to really hash up? I told ya, yeah -- the ol' Irishman said it all year -- ain't no one no how gonna break Roger Maris' record this season.
Yep, it was fun to watch Big Mac McGwire crunch 'em at the end. And, of course, Junior had his moments, too. But just go ask those guys how tough it was to hit with all the hype. Because of that, I don't think anyone will break that record unless they get to 50 homers in early August.
And you can take that to the bank.
SAY WHAT: Well, Florida gets to keep its top spot, thanks to the nimrod voters. Sheeeet-fire, boys, how in the hell did they come up with that silly slop about Kentucky being so tough.
One Tim Couch does not a team make and while he played well, it was a mismatch from the start. Of course ol' Steve Spurious knows this about the media and so he started building them up early. And the media played right along.
For my money, all $2 of it, you can scratch the Gators as No. 1. There is no better team than Penn State but it looks like Papa Joe's gonna get the shaft again since no matter who his team plays in the Rose Bowl, the nimrods will give it to Florida.
QUICK QUESTIONS: Is the MLS still playing? Does anyone care?
Will Marv Albert trade in his undergarments for a couple of books about how to get through life with as little attention as possible?
Will Martina Hingis every get over herself?
And, will the U.S. ever gets its Ryder Cup act together again?
PLUG TIME: For those of you living in the Raleigh, N.C., area, I encourage you to grab a copy of Barry Jacob's ACC Fan's Guide when it hits the stands in late October.
Why? Well, it's packed full of good information. I know because yours truly was the editor on the project this year. So buy a copy and make the ol' Irishman smile.
Do you think any SEC teams have a shot at Florida?
From Jimmy the Kid at a infi.net.
Cool question. And yes, I do think a couple of teams have that potential. Auburn, for one. The Tigers have had the Gators' number before and their quarterback is simply something else. I also think LSU can upset Florida this year.
Can you please tell me who was the first NFL player of the year?
From Hanky the C at that AOL place.
Sure can, Mr. C. It was Mel Hein, an offensive center with the New York Giants in 1938.
I don't give a shit about Maris' record any way.
From M. McGwire, going to the bank in St. Louis when he's not popping out email on some net there.
Yo, Big Mac. Chill, dude, chill. I know you don't care about it. And that's another reason you are one special breed of ballplayer in this world today. But what I can't figure is how or why you settled for less money than Albert Belle? Heck, if he's worth $55 million, they ought to give you the eastern half of Missouri.
Yep, there is no other like Junior. So let's see how much you know about the other home run hitters of all-time.
1) Who hit the most pinch-hit homers in a season? Give up?
2) What catcher holds the record for most homers in a season? Give up?
3) Who had the most career pinch-hit homers? Give up?
4) Where was Ken Griffey Jr. born? Give up?
5) What pitcher allowed the most homers in a single season? Give up?
Mike Emmett has been kicking around sports departments in newspapers and online operations around the U.S. for years. Got something to say to the Irishman? Email him with a click here.
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