I went with Griffey, but I really voted for the rise of Howard Lincoln. John Ellis was an experienced corporate CEO, but he never let his own ego become a factor. Howard Lincoln alienated our signature franchise player. It has now been pretty clearly established that Griffey's desire to go to Cincinnati was his effort to prevent the eventual divorce of his parents. Building Safeco Field with the outward indentation in right center field was a message to Junior that the franchise didn't revolve around him. Howard throwing a hissy fit because Junior showed up late for a meeting was the capstone.
Howard got snookered by A-Rod who told him what he wanted to hear, so we didn't trade him and get guys who could have produce at the major league level during the dog days of 2004, 2005 and 2006. Howard kept the old gang around until they were way past their prime for marketing reasons. Howard wouldn't open up the safe at the trading deadline in 2002 when we had a chance, and now it has all fallen apart. The short term financial advantage that Safeco field revenues provided has been lost as most teams now have new parks.
Now prices are higher, our revenues are lower, and there are fewer have-not teams desperate to dump salaries.
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