Josh Q. Public: Don’t you know I’m still standing better than I ever did. Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid. -Elton John
Public Service Announcement: OK, here we go! Like my main man Mark Twain always says: ”The rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated.” The rumors of Ken Griffey Jr’s death has been greatly exaggerated. Don’t call it a comeback! I been here for years. Rockin’ my peers and puttin’ suckas in fear. Ken Griffey Jr’s been here for years. Ken Griffey Jr’s been rockin’ his peers. Puttin’ suckers in fear. What’s the frequency Kenneth? I’ll tell you what the frequency is. Ken Griffey Jr. just hit his 569th career homer. That’s what the frequency is. He just moved into a tie for ninth place with Rafael Palmeiro. That’s what the frequency is. Just four back behind Harmon Killebrew. Fourteen back behind Mark McGwire. That’s what the frequency is. Griffey has been on a tear since the Red Legs moved him back into his accustomed third spot in the order. Since the Red Legs moved him back into his accustomed third spot in the order, Griffey has hit safely in seven of eight games. Hit four bombs. I am the rock hard trooper. To the bone, the bone, the bone. Full grown. Consider me stone. I’m louder than a bomb. He was louder than a bomb when he was selected with the first overall pick by the Seattle Mariners. Louder than bomb tearing it up his rookie year. Rookie of the Yearing it up. Then it happened. Then the first of many. Griff slipped in the shower and broke a bone in his right hand. He got knocked down. But he got up again. You’re never going to keep him down. Throughout the nineties he was a beast. The high priest. The best from West to East. Junior was arguably the best player of the decade. Cashing that checkade. A one man wreckade. He produced runs. He hit for average. He hit over .300 in seven years of the ‘90s. He hit for power. It’s gettin’ it’s gettin’ it’s gettin’ kinda hectic. He’s got the power. He smashed 422 bombs during the decade. He was the best center fielder of the decade. Gold Gloves from 1990 to 1999. Great range. Sick range. Home, home on the range. Where the deer and the antelope play. Diving plays. Spectacular plays. Say Hey Kid plays. Wheaties boxes. Knock off your sockses. Bagels and loxes. He was the man. He won games with his legs. Saving baseball in Seattle with his legs. You remember. You remember Game Five versus the Bombers. Series even at two apiece. Bottom of the 11th against the Bombers. Junior on first. Edgar with the hit. Hit it just a little bit. Hit it lickety split. There goes Griff. He…could…go…all…the…way. He does! He does! He scores from first base! Mariners win! Mariners win! Then he moved to Cincinnati. Then the injury bug hit. The injury bug hit hard. From 2001 through 2004, Junior was plagued by an endless string of injuries. Season-ending injuries. The injuries lowered his bat speed, lessened his power and curbed his home run production. He slugged only .426 before going down in 2002. His lowest output in seven years. He’s never been the same. A candle without a flame. The glory gone out of his game. But not so fast. He’s back. Back again. Griffey’s back. Tell a friend. Yup, Griffey’s back. Tell a friend. Tell ‘em the Public sent ya.
Public Acknowledgements: LL Cool J, REM, Associated Press, The Cincinnati Enquirer, Wikipedia, Public Enemy, Rex Trailer, Snap and Eminem.
No way I could ever forget Griffey and his sweet homerun swing. It would be nice to see him string together a coupe of completely healthy seasons. However, his legacy is secure. A championship would sure be sweet icing on the cake.
Great read. I remember we all thought KG Jr would be the new homerun king in 5 years. But he did screw himself over leaving Seattle, where was playing great. He would have been the next great one, and injuries killed him.
Great reminder to all about how he lost almost everything, and he isn't 100% forgotten yet.
yanks- griff was the best player around bar none. ironic he's pasing raffy and will probably big mac. wonder where he'd be if guys didnt juice. or he did.
i hear ya. i loved this guy. maybe if he stays healthy for a coupla years now he still makes the history books. i wouldnt mind seeing him on the sox. i dont know what i'd give up for him though.
Josh - great job here. My wife and I went on a cruise to Alaska and ended up in Seattle when he was still there. I remember seeing his image on the side of a big building, it was huge. That is what his career would have been (and it is still a pretty good one) had he stayed healthy. A guy on television last night said the inuries have cost him roughly 150 HR's. That being the case Griffey would be pushing Bonds to the all-time HR leader. I wonder what #### people would be saying about him then? Great post.
Always giving it his all. Griffey was dependable in getting something done. I agree, if not for the injuries, he'd be rock'n the boat for home-run king. Fun read and nice tribute to a great player.
Griffey has been my favorite player since he came into the league. I am a Braves fan and watching his Dad with the Braves and then seeing that beautiful swing he has, made me want him in Atlanta for years. I know it probably will never happen but nonetheless, I have been a major fan. Don't underestimate Griff though. He is sitting at 569 now and may be knocking on the 600 door by the end of the season. I know that it is a reach but he is 37 and he still has a possibility, although slim, of making a run at Bonds/Aaron. A-Rod is probably going to own that record by the end of his career anyway but Griff could still surprise a lot of people.
Sweetest swing in all of baseball. If not for so many injuries, he would have been king. Still only slightly bigger than he was as a rookie, no one is accusing him of juicing. Still has a pretty good career even with the injuries. I'd love for the angels to trade for him, and have him hit in front of Vlad. Yeah baby!
Awesome blog!! I love the lyrics!
That is what people dont understand about the steroids gripe. It isnt about making you stronger or a better hitter it is about being able to stay healthy or recover faster that hurts the ones who dont use them. I think that everyone would agree that JR hasnt and that is what has cost him his production. Hey, He's not done yet so lets not sleep on him just yet. I think that he should leave Cincy but not to win a championship. I think that he should leave so he can get his game back. He is too comfortable in Cincy and needs to have his fire re-lit in another city and preferably one that has a chance at the playoffs. Ring or no ring he will still go down as one of the greatest to swing the bat or put on a glove.
I will say til I die that in his injury free prime Griffey Jr. was the best I ever saw. I loved watching him play and still do. How I wish he had stayed healthy so we could how the numbers really added up.
The sweetest swing any of us will ever see. He was a baseball hero for kids of my generation, and many friends still consider him their favorite player to this day. I thought he was going to end up with 800 home runs, but injuries stepped in and took their toll. What might have been...
NOBODY can forget KGJ! The only contender to Bonds throne as the best of my generation. I could actually argue either way, but I place Bonds 1, and Griffey 2. With that said, what I'll tell my kid, is that Griffey was the best. I'm with ya Josh, great to see that JUNIOR is BACK!!
You are correct Josh. That is why my kid will know about Griffey, and not Barry. He will question it, but I'll make that exact reference. Cheaters always lose in the end.
i agree nos...unfortunately with bonds it will be an early death. i don't wish it on him by any means. but when he goes at 50-60 yrs old, will anyone be surprised?
Josh - Great read on a solid player. I have never seen so naturally blessed and talented an athlete in my life. The way he played the game when he was with Seattle...it looked effortless because he was a picture of grace.
It is a shame how the injuries took their toll. I remember seeing interviews with Griffey before the injury bug and he talked about how he never lifted weights, never did a situp, didn't work out too much in the off season. he wasn't even a big fan of stretching. It's a shame that that little bit of neglect robbed him of some of his prime years. He's be the one fixing to break the HR record now if not for the injuries.
HOF voters won't forget Kenny boy.
Neither will we.
Injuries changed his career path within MLB.
I see him hanging on, cracking more dingers.
It'll take a few years of eligibiltiy, yet when character is taken into consideration, given the current crop of criminal athletes, Kenny will be voted in.
I am a HUGE JR fan!! For about 10 years he was the best player in the game. I think the Reds will hold onto him. When he hits 600 HRs he will be a big draw and the Reds would like to see it done there.....at least I sure would! I believe the Reds owe him loyalty. They are paying him out the ying-yang but JR gave up a lot to come to his Daddy's ole home place. I hope he stays with them until he retires!! GO JR!!
Great post, Griffy was the man , He was a great centerfielder he made some sick highlight reel catches when he was in his prime always one of my favorite players. love to see him on the sox
josh q. public. For the public, by The Public. Irreverent sports opinion from a Bostonian in New York. The one blog to read, when you’re reading more than one. Good to the last drop!
What’s the frequency Kenneth? I’ll tell you what the frequency is. Ken Griffey Jr. just hit his 569th career homer. That’s what the frequency is. He just moved into a tie for ninth place with Rafael Palmeiro. That’s what the frequency is. Just four back behind Harmon Killebrew. Fourteen back behind Mark McGwire. That’s what the frequency is. Griffey has been on a tear since the Red Legs moved him back into his accustomed third spot in the order. Since the Red Legs moved him back into his 
knocked down. But he got up again. You’re never going to keep him down. Throughout the nineties he was a beast. The high priest. The best from West to East. Junior was arguably the best player of the decade. Cashing that checkade. A one man wreckade. He produced runs. He hit for average. He hit over .300 in seven years of the ‘90s. He hit for power. It’s gettin’ it’s gettin’ it’s gettin’ kinda hectic. He’s got the power. He smashed 422 bombs during the decade. He was the best center fielder of the
decade. Gold Gloves from 1990 to 1999. Great range. Sick range. Home, home on the range. Where the deer and the antelope play. Diving plays. Spectacular plays. Say Hey Kid plays. Wheaties boxes. Knock off your sockses. Bagels and loxes. He was the man. He won games with his legs. Saving baseball in Seattle with his legs. You remember. You remember Game Five versus the Bombers. Series even at two apiece. Bottom of the 11th against the Bombers. Junior on first. Edgar with the hit. Hit it just a little bit. Hit it lickety split. There goes Griff. He…could…go…all…the…way. He does! He does! He scores from first base! Mariners win! Mariners win! Then he moved to Cincinnati. Then the injury bug hit. The injury bug hit hard. From 2001 through 2004, Junior was plagued by an endless string of injuries. Season-ending injuries. The injuries lowered his bat speed, lessened his power and curbed his home run production. He slugged only .426 before going down in 2002. His lowest output in seven years. He’s never been the same. A candle without a flame. The glory gone out of his game. But not so fast. He’s back. Back again. Griffey’s back. Tell a friend. Yup, Griffey’s back. Tell a friend. Tell ‘em the Public sent ya.
