Cincinnati, OH--Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. has been plagued with a variety of injuries in recent years.  After incurring a dislocated shoulder at the start of this season, the All-Star seemed to be hitting his stride in the past weeks.  However, that came to an end last night, as Griffey announced that he is five months pregnant. 

 

"It was irresponsible of me to have unprotected sex to begin with.  but I knew the risks coming into it, I guess." 

 

The Reds' trainer, Bon Farsi, was critical of Griffey, "He had no business being out there at all this season.  He's endangered himself, and his unborn child." 

 

When asked ifgriffey would ever play a full season of baseball again, Farsi replied, "Oh my lord, no.m  Don't be stupid.  No."

 

Said Griffey, "I hope that I can still serve a utility role, supporting this team from the bench while nursing my newborn son.  Or daughter, we really can't tell yet." 

 

Griffey then stated that if the child were indeed a boy, he'd like to name him "Optimus Prime Griffey," after the popular cartoon character.  "But my baby wpon't turn into a semi-truck," he kidded with reporters.

 

He would not comment on who the child's father could be, but hinted at his special relationship with Reds shortstop Barry Larkin, "Barry's been with me all through this.  He's been really supportive." 

 

Larkin for his part, demanded a blood test, "I just want to know if it's mine, for sure.  If it is, and I'm not saying it is, I'll be there for the kid.  I mean, I'm making ten million dollars a year to sit on my crippled, old man ass, so money is no object." 

 

Larkin turns eighty-six this month, and is considered a walking medical miracle.