Star's Stars Step into Da Box

Friday, September 05 2003 @ 10:41 AM EDT

Contributed by: Mick Doherty

This article was originally published Sept. 5, 2003 -- in advance of publication of the series recapping the interview(s) with Griffin and Baker. It was revised and republished as an archive for the series after all 10 parts had been published. Contact the author.

Richard Griffin. Geoff Baker. These are names nearly as familiar to Toronto baseball fans as those of Tony Fernandez and Joe Carter -- the specific comparisons will become evident later.

The work of these erstwhile Toronto Star regulars has been the subject of debate -- and let's be honest, sometimes derision -- here on Da Box. In reality, these are just a couple of Concordia guys who made it to the Star by way of Montreal. They both would pay to see Barry Bonds and Ichiro -- and if you think they’re just "paid to watch baseball," you need to think again.

In the Fall of 2003, we visited in-depth with Griffin and Baker, as they stepped resolutely into Da Box to face Coach and the ZLC. Who played the role of Carter, and who was Mitch Williams? Or does the fact that we all share an understanding of just what that question means prove that it doesn't matter?

Here's what we learned in the course of a spirited 10-part series:

Da Box Welcomes ... Rich Griffin
So, how does a Jamaican youth get his name permanently etched into display in the Baseball Hall of Fame? Obviously, he goes to college to play basketball and major in accounting. Meet Rich Griffin. (Sept. 8)

Da Box Welcomes ... Geoff Baker
Don't assume Geoff Baker's job is just to hang out in clubhouses. The competitive world of sports journalism led him through a complex world of dues-paying only hinted at by two National Newspaper Awards. (Sept. 9)

So, You Want to be a Sports Writer
Getting paid to watch baseball and then telling thousands of people what you saw or what you think (or both) -- how did Geoff Baker and Richard Griffin luck into such great gigs? Hang on -- there's a little more to it than that. (Sept. 10)

Hey ... Are These Guys Stat Geeks?
Not too long ago, Baker and Griffin each wrote what were perceived as anti-sabermetric screeds -- on the same day, no less. These guys just hate stats and stat-heads, right? Actually ... you'd be surprised. (Sept. 11)

White Jays Revisited
The most controversial topic in the history of Da Box isn't about how many Latinos share Geoff Baker's cube space or Richard Griffin's @thestar.ca e-mail domain. And it's not about headlines or front page placement. It's about diversity and it's about facts. (Sept. 12)

Rating Ricciardi
Both Geoff Baker and Richard Griffin have had plenty to say about "the Ricciardi Regime" since former G.M. Gord Ash left town -- some quite good, and some extremely critical. Good thing Ricciardi says he has "thick skin." (Sept. 15)

More on Media
If it's true that you can judge a writer by what he reads, then Geoff Baker and Richard Griffin keep some pretty select company. Find out who they read, where they like to be, who they like to talk to and how they see their own places in the Blue Jay Universe. (Sept. 16)

Cy Halladay? Baker, Griffin Offer Thoughts
Looking back, the Blue Jays' entire 2003 campaign could be summarized by the single phrase, "Roy Halladay, Cy Young Award winner." In late September, both Baker and Griffin hoped that might be true but thought the award was headed to an ex-Jay. (Sept. 23)

Richard Griffin: "The Best Thing I've Ever Written"
Geoff Baker: "The Best Thing I've Ever Written"
Most Boxers only know Griffin and Baker as readers of their writing -- though perhaps this series has started to expand on that a little. But it only seems fair to ask the writers in question, then ... what's the best thing you've ever written. Find out their answers and actually read the stories -- hint: you'll learn a lot about Jackie Robinson and Eric Hinske -- that made these two Star writers most proud. (Sept. 26)

Star Struck: Leftovers & Open Mike
After a little time had passed, after the season ended, after more than 300 comments had been directed to Baker and Griffin in response to the series, it was time to review, take a look at a few of the out-takes and offer up a final word -- and an invitation. (Oct. 12)

Thanks to Rich and Geoff ... and welcome to Da Box.

The comments below were posted in response to the original announcement and unless dates indicate otherwise, appeared before the series was posted.

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