Tuesday, August 08, 2000

Sampras takes swings with Reds

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The Associated Press

Pete Sampras gets some tips from Reds' outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. during batting practice Monday night. (Gary Landers photos) | ZOOM |

Sampras takes his cuts. | ZOOM |

        MASON — Pete Sampras hit balls with Ken Griffey Jr. Tuesday - not on the tennis court, but in the batting cage.

        Before the defending champ took his first swing in the Tennis Masters Series Cincinnati, Sampras was taking batting practice with the Reds at Cinergy Field.

“We could send you to rookie ball,” Griffey said after Sampras belted a line drive. “You'll take a pay cut, but don't worry about it.”

        Batting right-handed, Sampras hit a line drive over second base the first time he made contact, had a few awkward swings and achieved his primary goal — he didn't hurt or embarrass himself.

        “I'm healthy. That's the main thing,” he said. “I didn't want to hurt my back.”

        Jim Courier and other tennis stars have taken batting practice with the Reds over the years when a homestand coincided with the ATP Tour event in Mason.

        Sampras, who had a Monday bye in the tournament, knows Ken Griffey Jr. and was glad to get a firsthand feel for what it's like to swing with major leaguers.

        Dressed in tennis shoes, shorts and shirt but no batting helmet, Sampras stood in the batting cage for about five minutes before the Reds' regulars took over. He said he'd never done anything like it.

        “I know my place on earth is not on the baseball field,” Sampras said.

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