All-star night at City Council
The Post and Courier
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
It's rare that Charleston City Council meetings are peppered with a dash of celebrity, but that's what happened Tuesday night as former Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Sr. showed up. Griffey was in Charleston to talk with the mayor and city recreation officials about extending the work of his Ken Griffey Sr. Foundation to playgrounds in the area. The Orlando-based foundation holds sports clinics for at-risk youth. Mayor Joe Riley, whose love of baseball prompted the council to name the city's baseball stadium after him, recognized Griffey and called him "one of the greatest baseball players in history" and "father of one of the greatest baseball players," Ken Griffey Jr. Griffey said he chose Charleston as a possible site because of his longtime friendship with Charleston native Willis Ham, now a Columbia businessman. Council wasn't asked to vote on anything Tuesday, but a deal could be in the on-deck circle. "I'm planning on coming back," Griffey said, to which Councilwoman Deborah Morinelli replied, "You need to bring some baseballs with you!"
Reach Robert Behre at 937-5771 or at rbehre@post andcourier.com.
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Posted by Brant on September 26, 2007 at 9:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sigh. I was a fan of his when he was in Seattle, but could care less about the man now.
Posted by pball4f on September 26, 2007 at 10:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"I'm planning on coming back," Griffey said, to which Councilwoman Deborah Morinelli replied, "You need to bring some baseballs with you!"
That sounds like a bribe or at least use of a public office for personal gain.