Ken Griffey Jr. Retires

Dr. Cheese · #1 06-03-2010, 08:26 AM

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5244661

I just wanted to acknowledge the retirement of the greatest baseball player of his generation. 630 homeruns, 10 Gold Gloves, 1 MVP, and no rumors of steroids! Junior deserves some celebration!

sloasdaylight · #2 06-03-2010, 08:29 AM

Definitely one of the best.

stratovani · #3 06-03-2010, 08:53 AM

When I think about Ken Griffey Jr. I think about the 1994 All-Star game in Pittsburgh. In the finals of the Home-Run Hitting contest Griffey was up against Frank Thomas. Now Thomas was a gorilla of a man with huge biceps, while Griffey was a more wiry type (like Tiger Woods). Thomas' neck was bulging as he strained to crush every pitch he got, hitting one tape-measure shot after another. When it was Griffey's turn he made one long, lazy swing after another, with every hit sounding like a loud gunshot, and he was hitting balls much farther than Thomas. It was the most incredible exhibition of "effortless power" I have ever seen.

Ken Griffey Jr. 2015 unanimous first-ballot Hall of Fame. No questions.

Valerus · #4 06-03-2010, 08:59 AM

Class act.

Dr. Cheese · #5 06-03-2010, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stratovani

When I think about Ken Griffey Jr. I think about the 1994 All-Star game in Pittsburgh. In the finals of the Home-Run Hitting contest Griffey was up against Frank Thomas. Now Thomas was a gorilla of a man with huge biceps, while Griffey was a more wiry type (like Tiger Woods). Thomas' neck was bulging as he strained to crush every pitch he got, hitting one tape-measure shot after another. When it was Griffey's turn he made one long, lazy swing after another, with every hit sounding like a loud gunshot, and he was hitting balls much farther than Thomas. It was the most incredible exhibition of "effortless power" I have ever seen.

Ken Griffey Jr. 2015 unanimous first-ballot Hall of Fame. No questions.

Great story! Strength never hurts, but bat speed and range of motion is much more important than brute strength when it comes to home runs.

BTW, at his prime Griffey was 6' 2", 215 lbs. He wasn't without muscle.

Funkturnal · #6 06-03-2010, 09:06 AM

I was rooting for the Mariners this year, thinking they might have had a chance for a storybook farewell for Junior (at least making it to the playoffs). This makes it kind of sad...

but it certainly doesn't diminish his career or accomplishments in any way.

Funkturnal · #7 06-03-2010, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

BTW, at his prime Griffey was 6' 2", 215 lbs. He wasn't without muscle.

Yeah, that's like saying Michael Jordan was short at only 6-6.

But definitely, hitting for power definitely isn't only about brute strength.

tycobb73 · #8 06-03-2010, 09:12 AM

My freind in the 90s was a big Seattle fan. We always heckled him about Griffey. The man played the game the right way and it may have cost him from being called the greatest ever. He still is one of the greats. In a world of steroids his greatness got someonwhat covered up. If I was him on feild I wouldnn't have done anything differently.

MJ5150 · #9 06-03-2010, 09:28 AM

Good on Junior to call it a career. He was the 25th man on the roster already.

I was never a Seattle Mariners fan, but it sure was great watching him play in the Kingdome. Hands down best CF I have even seen play in person.

-Mike

Atoz · #10 06-03-2010, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5244661

I just wanted to acknowledge the retirement of the greatest baseball player of his generation. 630 homeruns, 10 Gold Gloves, 1 MVP, and no rumors of steroids! Junior deserves some celebration!

If not for injuries, those numbers would have been even more staggering.

Best of luck to Junior in his future endeavors.

VJP · #11 06-03-2010, 09:32 AM

As a Yankee fan I'll always have that image in my head from the 1995 playoffs of Griffey streaking around the bases and scoring to end the series, thus crushing my man Don Mattingly's only postseason. Griffey was fun to watch. One of the best ever.

MJ5150 · #12 06-03-2010, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VJP

As a Yankee fan I'll always have that image in my head from the 1995 playoffs of Griffey streaking around the bases and scoring to end the series, thus crushing my man Don Mattingly's only postseason. Griffey was fun to watch. One of the best ever.

I was at that game. I still get goosebumps when I hear the call of that Edgar hit.

Here it is for anyone who forgot: The Double.

-Mike

DWBass · #13 06-03-2010, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atoz

If not for injuries, those numbers would have been even more staggering.

I agree! Easily could have had 300 or more homeruns making breaking that record nearly impossible!

spade2you · #14 06-03-2010, 12:37 PM

22 years? Dang, I remember when he was the top rookie. Doesn't seem that long ago.

stratovani · #15 06-03-2010, 12:44 PM

does anyone know if there's a Ken Griffey III in the works?

jrthebassguy · #16 06-03-2010, 12:45 PM

If he didn't have as many injury problems as his did, he probably would have the all-time HR record. It's amazing to me he has the numbers he has, considering the huge chunks of time he would sometimes miss during a season.

Since I make it to a few Astros games per year, I got to watch him as a Red usually once a season. He was a great player and he'll be missed for sure.