Last night Ken Griffey Jr. became the 6th member of the 600 home run club with his first inning home run against the Marlins. Everyone knew this moment was possible; he had everything going for him because his dad was also a major league player and was on the same team that drafted Junior number one overall in 1987.
From the very beginning Griffey Junior made it clear that he belonged in the majors. "When he came to camp in 1989, he had no chance to make the team," Bradley said. "But he got a lot of at-bats early that spring because a lot of veterans don't like to play a lot early. After 20 games, he wasn't just the best player on our team, he was the best player in the league that spring. The Mariners basically said, 'We don't want this to happen, we don't want to rush him, we don't want him to make the team.' So they started running him out there against every elite pitcher, against all the nastiest left-handers they could find in hopes that he would stop hitting, and they could send him out. It never happened." In just his second year in the majors he started the All-Star game. He had an amazing natural ability and had a span over four years where he averaged 52 home runs a year. This kid was very young and everyone saw the raw talent and the joy with which he played the game. This was recognized when he was added to Major League Baseball’s All-Century team in 1999.
He has had seven 40+ home runs seasons and eight 100+ RBI seasons. He is also tied for the record of most consecutive games with a home run (8). The one thing that stands out when looking back at Griffey’s career is not only how great of a player he is, but how great of a player he could have been had he not missed so much time due to injuries,where he had three straight years of playing 83 games or less. It appeared as if he would have clearly been the all-time home run leader and that does not seem to be as likely now.
Griffey is by far the best player I have ever seen and was an amazing centerfielder, it is remarkable to think that he did everything the right way. In an era where everyone who has success is suspected of using performance enhancing drugs, Griffey’s name is never mentioned. Griffey has provided baseball with many memorable moments such as hitting back to back home runs with his father and hitting #500 on father’s day with his father in attendance. He will always be remembered as a great player with tremendous talent and I hope to see him in the Hall of Fame one day.
George Kenneth "Ken" Griffey, Jr…..Congratulations on number 600.
oaklandathleticsfan
Can we now say with certainty that this particular recipient to have crossed that threshold of reaching 600 homes runs is all but a certain shoo-in for Cooperstown. 'cause with the likes of Sosa and Bonds there's the feeling that their accomplishments were definitely tainted.
But with Jr there's never been a hint of controversy there ...... not one iota of it at all !
He's done himself and the game proud throughout the course of his career !
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