Good Thing Balls Are Cheep

Even a kid gets tired at some point.

Last week Ken Griffey Jr. decided to retire. Griffey's announcement was not all too surprising due to his decline in play over the years but his retirement should have been acclaimed profoundly on the front page of every newspaper and website. Instead, the decision was an “after thought” to the media. Jim Joyce’s infamous “safe” call to eliminate Armando Galaraga’s perfect game stole the headlines and prevented Griffey’s 22 years of exceptional service to be recognized as such.

It seems Griffey is always the forgotten one. He was the best pure hitter in the 1990’s, no debate. He was “The Natural,” and the only great hitter of that generation who escaped the steroid era without a suspicion of use.

Junior’s style and grace was a special thing to witness. He moved like a gazelle through the outfield grass, shagging flyballs he had no business even catching. Every little league baseball player, including myself, tried to mirror Griffey’s fluid swing in an attempt to feel like we were in the Major Leagues. “The Kid,” turned the serious nature of the sport back into the playful game it was intended for by always cracking a smiling and wearing his baseball cap on backwards. Griffey was simply just one big kid.

I will always remember Griffey as the best hitter of my young life. He put together a four year span (1996-2000) in which he averaged 53 homeruns, 18 stolen bases, and 141 RBI’s, while batting .293. During his 1998 season, Griffey hit 56 homeruns and finished 3rd in the National League in that category behind Mark McGwire, 70, and Sammy Sosa 66. The slugger was matching McGwire and Sosa big fly for big fly but fell off the pace due to an injury plagued month of August. For a player of Griffey’s talent, he never received the attention he deserved -- Junior helped revive baseball after the 1994 labor dispute and single handily was responsible for Safeco Field, “The House That Griffey Built.”

Griffey was a walking legend during his tenure with the Mariners, Reds, and White Sox who brought laughter, passion, and artistry to a game that needed a major facelift. He was clean. He was pure. And now this “Kid” belongs with the adults. Move over Mays, Williams, and Ruth. Do not be surprised, but Griffey is pulling up a seat at your table.