BASEBALL legend Ken Griffey Jr. believes Filipinos got the talent to join Major League Baseball (MLB).
Griffey, who is currently in the Philippines to conduct baseball clinics in Manila and Cebu, told reporters on Wednesday that Filipinos are too athletic and got a lot of heart to play baseball.
“It doesn’t matter how big or how small you are. If you got heart to play this game, you’ll do well,” said the 6’2” former Seattle Mariners. Griffey is accompanied by former Montreal Expos player Joe Logan.
Griffey cited the Japanese as good example, explaining that they are not taller like any other baseball playing nations but they are a force to reckon with in the sport.
“And it has been proven by the Japanese, they’ve won the World Baseball Classic twice. If you execute then you’ll win. It doesn’t matter if you are 5-6 or 6-6, if you can play, you can play.”
Griffey, who hit 630 home runs in his 22-year Major Baseball League career, said he likes to come back in the
country because there are many young potential talents available to be developed.
Although he is not personally aware about Filipino-American playerss in MLB like Eugenio Macalalag Espineli, Tim Lencecum and Jason Bartlett, Griffey said he knows there will be more Filipinos to enter the league.
“I had maybe 7,000 outs in my career, but every day, I’m going out there like I’m going to hit. Just keep on playing and believe you can play, because one swing can make the difference. Sometimes, you have to will yourself,” Griffey encouraged the Filipino children he is teaching.
JOSEF T. RAMOS
Source URL: http://www.manilatimes.net/?p=5600
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