Happy trails to you, Griff...

[AdamN]

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AmkS3CW6GqRPMCP_z0tKTigRvLYF?slug=ti-griffey060310

Reading this article reminded me of how much I enjoyed watching Ken Griffey Jr. play when I was a kid. Sure, he played for the opposition and often times made the home team pay by knocking the ball out of the park or making a highlight-reel catch in center field. But to watch Griffey do what he did with his own God-given talent, in an era where so many used performance-enhancing drugs, was truly something to behold. Had he been able to stay healthy in the latter part of his career, he probably would have broken Hank Aaron's all-time home run record. And done so cleanly. So, 630 homers later, Junior says goodbye to major league baseball. Thank you for the memories, sir.

 

[Hootus1]

His health problems look very similar to Mickey Mantle. (I'm showing my 54 years now! Hahaha)

 

[flashy_athlete]

Griffey was the best of his generation and not only that, he was the only one of the sluggers in the 90`s that NEVER has been linked to performance enhances.

His work on the field and off the field is what really made the difference in the world here in Seattle.

Safeco Field will always be the house that Griffey built.

 

[AdamN]

Griffey was the best of his generation and not only that, he was the only one of the sluggers in the 90`s that NEVER has been linked to performance enhances.

His work on the field and off the field is what really made the difference in the world here in Seattle.

Safeco Field will always be the house that Griffey built.

Amen. I'll go one step further and say that Griffey was probably the best baseball player I've ever seen, period. Now take into account that this is coming from someone who is 31 years old and started following baseball in 1989. I wasn't around to see all the greats of yesteryear. But out of all the players I was privileged enough to see perform, Griffey was the total package. He could hit for average, enormous power, run with the best of them and play spectacular defense. I still recall the back to back years when he hit a combined 112 homers (56 in each season). He is a first-ballot Hall of Famer. And in 5 years, when he in inducted, I firmly believe that he can do so knowing he played and represented the game the right way.