Shaun and Junior

Shaun Alexander was on the field tonight during Reds batting practice at Safeco Field. He and Ken Griffey Jr. know one another somehow.

Griffey took him into the Reds clubhouse after BP to chat.

You could make a strong argument that they represent a pairing of the best baseball player and the best football player the Greater Cincinnati area has produced. No question in my mind in Griffey's case. Some might argue Roger Staubach over Alexander in football.

I saw them both play in high school. I saw Alexander play against Elder in the Pit in his sophomore or junior year. If memory serves, he was not playing tailback.

I saw Griffey play at Oak Hills the day before he was drafted. He misplayed a flyball, struck out twice and got caught stealing. I remember asking a scout if the performance would hurt him in the draft. "There were 26 teams here today," he said. "All 26 would pick him first if they had the first pick."