Choosing to sign with the team that made him famous (and which, in turn, he made famous), Ken Griffey Jr. has signed a one-year deal worth $2 million and incentives with the Seattle Mariners, whom he played eleven years for from 1989-99.
Griffey then played for the Cincinnati Reds from 2000-08, with 41 games played for the Chicago White Sox last season. The 13-time All-Star center fielder is fifth on baseball's all-time home run chart with 611, and is the Mariners' career leader in home runs and slugging percentage; he's second only to Edgar Martinez in Mariners' history in games played, hits, RBIs, extra-base hits, ABs, doubles, runs, and total bases.
Hmm. Even if he's never again an All-Star-caliber player (and he's still very good, considering he's 38), this is at the very least a feel-good move for Seattle fans.
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I just like that this puts him in a long tradition: of the four guys ahead of him on the all-time HR list, the one on roids was the only one who didn't end his career by returning to the city he started it in. Assuming Griffey did it cleanly, it's nice to see that tradition continue.
Of course, to really fit with the other three he should be coming to a different franchise in Seattle, but there's not much chance of that happening. B^)
Originally posted by Peter The HegemonI just like that this puts him in a long tradition: of the four guys ahead of him on the all-time HR list, the one on roids was the only one who didn't end his career by returning to the city he started it in. Assuming Griffey did it cleanly, it's nice to see that tradition continue.
Of course, to really fit with the other three he should be coming to a different franchise in Seattle, but there's not much chance of that happening. B^)
God, I hope you're correct in his being clean. I think he is but who the Hell knows.
I had a friend who was a great baseball player back in high school. He could throw that fastball by you, make you look like a fool, boy. I stopped by this roadside bar, I was walking in, he was walking out. We sat down, had a few drinks but all he kept talkin' about...
Seriously, good for him. I was hoping he would not go to Atlanta and get lost in the shuffle. At least in Seattle he can DH.
On the other hand, shame on the Braves for not closing the deal on another free agent. Their team could have shaped up much, much different this season.
Originally posted by djpI had a friend who was a great baseball player back in high school. He could throw that fastball by you, make you look like a fool, boy. I stopped by this roadside bar, I was walking in, he was walking out. We sat down, had a few drinks but all he kept talkin' about...
That's a pretty good story, Boss.
I was kinda hoping he'd show up in Toronto. I can only imagine the fanfare on opening day in Seattle during his first at bat.
This is going to sell a lot of tickets in Seattle. I mean its enough to get me thinking about riding bikes up to buy baseball cards and check the price of Griffey's rookie card in the case, going to the Kingdome, and buying a warm foil bag of peanuts that sail through the air from 2 sections over... having the entire stadium echo and shake during a tight game.. man Griffey is nothing but good memories of baseball in Seattle (well, and injuries...) not sure if it will help the team a huge amount, but should put bodies in the seats.
Glad he went back to Seattle. It was cool having him in my team's uniform for a few months, and he did make a huge play in the playoff game that won the White Sox the AL Central last year. Best all-around player of the 90's, and I believe one of the two best clean hitters of the 90's.
It sucks that I'm making my yearly visit back to Seattle right before baseball season, I would have loved to seen him play live with the M's again.
As a life long Mariner fan I can't help but be excited for his return. Most of my favorite baseball memories was watching him as I was growing up. His first at bat in Seattle is going to be sweet ... I'd love to see him park one just for old times sake.
This is actually pretty cool! When he was here for the series with the Reds, Safeco Field was sold out for every one of those games. I am really pumped that this is going to happen because unfortunately as a kid, I didn't get to see Junior play live so this will be a treat for me.
As far as how much he will help the team, not a whole lot but it is more of a move to sell tickets in a soft economy.
Chuck Norris drives an ice cream truck covered in human skulls.
On the other hand, shame on the Braves for not closing the deal on another free agent. Their team could have shaped up much, much different this season.
You have to wonder what would have happened with the Braves if Ted Turner still ran things.
Then there's this Gregg Doyel article that takes a poop all over the whole thing. Doyel's usually a downer, but I mean *really.* (I do enjoy his appearances on Czaban though)
Personally, I'm happy about the move. I was glad to have him on "my" AL team for so many years and then "my" NL team for almost the same amount of time, so I'm glad he's back in Seattle to theoretically finish out his career. It's just right.
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Good to see him going back to Seattle. I know that his defense isn't what it used to be so the best situation for him is DH but I thought my Mets should have taken a shot on him. Why not for $2 million. Maybe he still would have turned down the Mets to go home, but they'd be a much better chance of winning a title than the Mariners are Braves.
Originally posted by QuezzyGood to see him going back to Seattle. I know that his defense isn't what it used to be so the best situation for him is DH but I thought my Mets should have taken a shot on him. Why not for $2 million. Maybe he still would have turned down the Mets to go home, but they'd be a much better chance of winning a title than the Mariners are Braves.
Eh, the day any of those three teams win the World Series will be the day pigs fly, and this is coming from someone who likes the Braves. The Mets are to today's MLB what the Braves were to the '90s, only at least the Braves had some playoff success before the inevitable Big Choke.
"I don't want to see this foolishness!" "What kind of foolishness do you want to see?"
--Sam the Eagle and Gonzo, Muppet Vision 3-D
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Certified RFMC Member-- Ask To See My Credentials!
Co-Winner of Time's Person of the Year Award, 2006