GaryMrMets
08-03-2005, 01:39 PM
Giants Designate Grissom for Assignment
By JANIE McCAULEY
.c The Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - As usual, Marquis Grissom chose to be upbeat before a single question had been uttered. The San Francisco Giants designated the popular outfielder for assignment Tuesday, the same day the club introduced new outfielder Randy Winn, acquired in a trade with Seattle on Saturday.
``It's all good, it's all good,'' Grissom said as he approached his locker after making his way through the clubhouse for high-fives, hugs and handshakes. ``Why be sad? I'm not sad about anything. It's been fun. ... I understand where the team's coming from, so there's no hard feelings. I'm hurt, this team has some young guys and is going in a different direction.''
The Giants have 10 days to trade, release or send the 38-year-old Grissom outright to the minors. He has been bothered by a strained left hamstring that sidelined him for more than a month.
``It was very hard, but it was easy because when you deal with a man like that, everything is easy,'' said Giants manager Felipe Alou, who first managed Grissom in Montreal. ``I've been dealing with him since he was 22. He hasn't changed as a person.''
Grissom, in his 17th season in the big leagues and third with San Francisco, plans to stick around to rehabilitate and work out, then see what happens. Before making the move, the Giants spoke to Grissom to make sure he is healthy - and to rule out the option of placing him on the disabled list.
Grissom has been in baseball long enough that he saw this move coming.
``I've been around a while, so I'm not surprised about anything,'' he said. ``I pretty much know what's going to happen before it does happen.''
Trainer Stan Conte said if a team is interested in acquiring Grissom via trade, he will be able to sign off on the outfielder's health. Grissom figures he's around 85 percent, but no longer has much pain in the hamstring - an injury that has nagged him off and on for years.
Grissom still thinks he can help teams this late in his career, and would like to play a few more years if possible.
``I think I can play, as long as I'm healthy,'' he said. ``I've got to get healthy, 100 percent. I don't think I'll ever get 100 percent, but close to it.''
Grissom batted .212 with two home runs and 15 RBIs this season after hitting .279 with 22 homers and 90 RBIs a year ago.
It was an emotional day in the Giants' clubhouse.
``A great teammate,'' first baseman J.T. Snow said. ``He's one of the best guys I've played with since I've been here. He's probably one of my top-10 teammates.''
Also on Tuesday, Giants catcher Mike Matheny was placed on the bereavement list to be with his ill grandfather. The team expects Matheny to return to the team Thursday.
San Francisco recalled catcher Justin Knoedler from Triple-A Fresno to take Matheny's roster spot. Yamid Haad, called up from Fresno on Saturday, started at catcher.
08/02/05 22:18 EDT
Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
By JANIE McCAULEY
.c The Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - As usual, Marquis Grissom chose to be upbeat before a single question had been uttered. The San Francisco Giants designated the popular outfielder for assignment Tuesday, the same day the club introduced new outfielder Randy Winn, acquired in a trade with Seattle on Saturday.
``It's all good, it's all good,'' Grissom said as he approached his locker after making his way through the clubhouse for high-fives, hugs and handshakes. ``Why be sad? I'm not sad about anything. It's been fun. ... I understand where the team's coming from, so there's no hard feelings. I'm hurt, this team has some young guys and is going in a different direction.''
The Giants have 10 days to trade, release or send the 38-year-old Grissom outright to the minors. He has been bothered by a strained left hamstring that sidelined him for more than a month.
``It was very hard, but it was easy because when you deal with a man like that, everything is easy,'' said Giants manager Felipe Alou, who first managed Grissom in Montreal. ``I've been dealing with him since he was 22. He hasn't changed as a person.''
Grissom, in his 17th season in the big leagues and third with San Francisco, plans to stick around to rehabilitate and work out, then see what happens. Before making the move, the Giants spoke to Grissom to make sure he is healthy - and to rule out the option of placing him on the disabled list.
Grissom has been in baseball long enough that he saw this move coming.
``I've been around a while, so I'm not surprised about anything,'' he said. ``I pretty much know what's going to happen before it does happen.''
Trainer Stan Conte said if a team is interested in acquiring Grissom via trade, he will be able to sign off on the outfielder's health. Grissom figures he's around 85 percent, but no longer has much pain in the hamstring - an injury that has nagged him off and on for years.
Grissom still thinks he can help teams this late in his career, and would like to play a few more years if possible.
``I think I can play, as long as I'm healthy,'' he said. ``I've got to get healthy, 100 percent. I don't think I'll ever get 100 percent, but close to it.''
Grissom batted .212 with two home runs and 15 RBIs this season after hitting .279 with 22 homers and 90 RBIs a year ago.
It was an emotional day in the Giants' clubhouse.
``A great teammate,'' first baseman J.T. Snow said. ``He's one of the best guys I've played with since I've been here. He's probably one of my top-10 teammates.''
Also on Tuesday, Giants catcher Mike Matheny was placed on the bereavement list to be with his ill grandfather. The team expects Matheny to return to the team Thursday.
San Francisco recalled catcher Justin Knoedler from Triple-A Fresno to take Matheny's roster spot. Yamid Haad, called up from Fresno on Saturday, started at catcher.
08/02/05 22:18 EDT
Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.