Like most Mariners fans, I was happy to read this morning that Ken Griffey Jr had signed on for one more season in Seattle. Although he’s past his prime, he’ll definitely help sell some tickets in what looks like another “rebuilding” year for the M’s. And like former teammate Jay Buhner said, “Griffey IS the Mariners.” Without him there would be no Safeco Field, and there might not even be a franchise in Seattle.
Griffey was every Little Leaguer’s hero. We would imitate his batting stance, wear our hats backwards, and try to duplicate his amazing diving catches in the outfield. The walls of my room were covered with Griffey posters and I think I still have over 100 of his baseball cards in a shoebox somewhere.
This 1995 photo is the defining Griffey moment in Seattle. He’s just scored the series-winning run all the way from first base on an Edgar Martinez double. The race around the bases knocked the Yankees out of the playoffs and put Seattle on baseball’s map. I can still hear Neihaus’s call of the play and it still gives me goosebumps!
Earlier in the season, Griffey made a leaping catch against the outfield wall that broke his wrist and put him on the disabled list for 3 months. He came back and helped the Mariners “Refuse to Lose” in their miracle playoff run.
Wolcott’s arm is blocking his face, but that’s a very young A-Rod next to Griffey at the bottom of the pile. Entering the 2009 season, Griffey has 611 career homeruns, and hasn’t yet been dragged into the steroid scandal. Hopefully it stays that way.
We’re going to Spring Training to see him and the rest of the team next month!
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