Ken Griffey

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Sure enough, Ken Griffey has cast a giant shadow over baseball's winter meetings. His unsettled status is such a preoccupation that the Cincinnati Reds called a news conference to announce they are not going to trade for him.It was the second time that Reds general manager Jim Bowden has made a non-announcement in the past six weeks. He did essentially the same thing in a more informal setting at the general managers meetings in Laguna Niguel, Calif., in November."The Reds have pulled out," Bowden said.

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Baseball's annual winter meetings open tomorrow at the Anaheim Marriott Hotel, but little has changed since the sport's player personnel executives gathered in Southern California for the general managers' meetings a month ago.Everything's still iffy because of Griffey.The Seattle Mariners still are trying to trade superstar outfielder Ken Griffey, which figures to make him the hottest topic of conversation during the five-day trading convention. He's just one player, and 30 teams will be represented at the meetings.

SEATTLE -- Every pitch thrown to Cal Ripken Friday night was met with breathless anticipation. Trade speculation hung heavy in the air, which chilled a crowd still getting used to topless baseball.Denied a homer in four at-bats, Ripken's milestone was put on hold for another day. So were any pending deals as the waiver deadline crept near. All that remained was the game itself, and another chance for the Orioles to convince themselves that the wild-card race hadn't passed them by.Playing before 44,931 at Safeco Field, with its retractable roof and view of its predecessor beyond left field, the Orioles were left exposed by Seattle rookie starter Gil Meche and abandoned by reliever Arthur Rhodes in a 7-4 loss to the Mariners.

Mariners: Ken Griffey is hitting .441 with four home runs and nine RBIs against Kansas City this season. He began the year batting .277 against the Royals. Seattle leads the major leagues with 170 home runs.Royals: Third baseman Joe Randa has hit safely in 24 of his past 25 games and is 46-for-103 (.447) with six home runs and 19 RBIs.Yankees: Second baseman Chuck Knoblauch did not start for the second straight game because of a severe head cold. Right-hander Jeff Nelson (elbow) is scheduled to throw a simulated game today instead of making his first rehab appearance, which should now come early next week.

Quote: "You just shake your head and tip your cap at what happened." -- Ken Griffey on Nomar Garciaparra's three-HR, 10-RBI gameIt's a fact: Nomar Garciaparra was approached by the Hall of Fame and said he is considering donating his batting gloves from Monday night's feat.Who's hot: The Mariners lead the majors with 62 home runs.Who's not: Through 17 home dates, the Devil Rays have drawn 362,444, 190,713 behind last year's total for a similar period.On deck: The Red Sox's Pedro Martinez, who leads the AL in strikeouts, goes for his major-league-leading seventh victory tonight against the Mariners.

HittingLee Stevens, Rangers: 2 HRs, 4 RBIs.Ken Griffey, Mariners: 5 RBIs, HR.PitchingMike Sirotka, White Sox: 8 1/3 innings, 0 runs, 4 hits.Pub Date: 9/26/98

Tracking the pursuit of Roger Maris' record of 61 home runs in 1961:................ HR ... Proj.Mark McGwire ... 47 ... 64Yesterday: Cardinals idleSammy Sosa ..... 46 ... 62Yesterday: Cubs idleKen Griffey .... 41 ... 56Yesterday: Mariners idleGreg Vaughn .... 39 ... 52Yesterday: 0-for-4, 0 HRPub Date: 8/14/98