Will He Or Won't He?

To read about whether Ken Griffey, Jr. will return to the Mariners is to sense that to Seattle, Griffey is the old boyfriend or girlfriend that you still have feelings for long after the fact. To others, he's the ex who you're glad to be rid of. But why not split the difference? Why can't he just be a friend or acquaintance? That's about as much investment as fans should be giving to this.I understand that Griffey gave his best years to the Mariners and the fans adored him. He will always be identified with the heady days of 1995. And it's hard to forget the past when your present isn't that exciting.

When Faulkner wrote, "The past isn't dead. It isn't even past," he couldn't have known it would be so fitting for M's fans right now. But at 39 and playing on borrowed time and balky limbs, Griffey's potential for success is limited. He won't be loping through centerfield like a gazelle or hitting tape-measure home runs. His fans have to remember this.But those who are vehemently against signing Griffey need to get some perspective as well. If the Mariners were to sign Griffey for one year for $2-3 million (what the Braves are said to be offering), what would be so harmful about that? This is not the same as signing Brad Wilkerson for $3 million. It doesn't derail the Mariners' youth movement. Maybe the young guys would look up to him. His attitude might loosen up a locker room that apparently has had chemistry problems.

Overall, signing Griffey would tug at lots of fans' heartstrings, while perhaps angering others. But let's look at it for what it would really be: a low-risk, mid-reward proposition. Let's just think about it that way and try to treat Griffey as a friend or acquaintance who might move to another city.