1983 Profile: Ken Griffey

"Griffey did not prove to be the great steal the Yankees thought he would be when the prospective free agent was acquired from the Reds for practically nothing after the 1981 season. He had an up-and-down season but finally straightened himself out in the final six weeks.
Ken played right field but could be moved to center or even first this year, depending on what moves the Yankees make. He's been slowed down by sore legs and stole only 10 bases.
Born in Donora, PA, the birthplace of Stan Musial, Griffey had a lifetime .307 average before last year. He was not picked by Cincinnati until the 29th round of the 1969 draft."

-Ken Nigro, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1983 Edition

"On November 4, 1981, the date Ken Griffey became a New York Yankee, club executives knew what they were doing. They had obtained a proven winner. Wrapped in the package that is Ken Griffey comes a combination of hitting, speed and defense that had entertained Cincinnati Reds fans for nine season. The luggage he bore on his arrival in the Bronx Ballyard contained a lifetime .307 batting average and 150 stolen bases.
In 1982, Yankees fans were treated to a glimpse of the real Ken Griffey. Over his last 38 games Ken hit .341 with seven homers and 29 RBI. Also, his 13 game hitting streak was the longest by any Yankee during the 1982 campaign. Numbers such as these have Yankee executives looking pretty good.
Ken Griffey anxiously awaits his second season in pinstripes. His outstanding ability and all-around good nature are welcome in the Yankee clubhouse. Consistency with the bat, prowess on the base paths, and agility in the outfield have Yankees fans reeling in anticipation for his contributions towards championships yet to come."

-The New York Yankees Official 1983 Yearbook

"Griffey batted .277 in his first season in pinstripes, 30 points below his previous major league average. He turned things around at the plate in his last 38 games, however, batting .341 (47-for-138) with seven home runs and 29 RBIs, raising his average from .251 on August 17. On August 18, Ken started on a 13 game hitting streak in which he raised his average 20 points, the 13 game streak being the longest by a Yankee in 1982. His 12 homers were just one shy of his previous major league high (13 in 1980).
In the last five years (1978-82) Ken is the eighth leading hitter in the major leagues with a .307 average; during the last ten years (1973-82), he's also the eighth leading batter in the major leagues with an identical .307 average. In 1980 Ken was the Reds' MVP and MVP of the All-Star Game. He missed the end of the 1979 season with a mid-August operation on his left knee and his thigh bone. In 1972 Ken was named to the Eastern League All-Star team and in 1973 to the American Association All-Star team.
Griffey was born and grew up in Donora, Pennsylvania, birthplace of Stan Musial."

-1983 New York Yankees Information Guide