McGwire’s Legend Shrinks a Little

After further review, it was determined that Mark McGwire’s homer off the scoreboard at Jacobs Field in Cleveland last April traveled 434 feet--not the original estimate of 485.

The Indians were measuring various home-run distances at the ballpark in preparation for a “hit it here” promotion during All-Star festivities. A fan will win $1 million if anyone hits a bull’s eye in the stands during the home run derby July 7 or the All-Star game July 8.

“We just started measuring and they said the scoreboard is 434,” said Bob DiBiasio, Indian vice president of public relations. “And we said, ‘Uh-oh.’ ”

McGwire, Oakland’s first baseman, is the only player to hit the scoreboard. His two-run blast off Orel Hershiser on April 30 dented an advertisement at the bottom of the left-field fixture.

Cleveland media relations director Bart Swain estimated the distance using a chart provided by the stadium developers.

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Craig Griffey, the younger brother of Ken Griffey Jr., has been given his unconditional release at his own request, the Seattle Mariners announced.

Griffey, 26, was hitting .217 with no home runs and five runs batted in for the Mariners’ double-A farm club in Memphis.

It was his seventh year as a minor-league outfielder for the Mariners, who drafted him in the 42nd round in 1991. Before that, Griffey was a defensive back on the football team at Ohio State.