Cody's Blog

After 22 seasons, the 1997 MVP award, 13 All-Star appearances, 10 Gold Gloves, 630 long balls and 1,836 career RBI, Seattle Mariner outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. retired from the game of baseball on the night of June 2nd. After returning to the Mariners this season knowing he would probably call it quits sometime in the near future, Griffey served in a part time role, playing sparingly and serving as a leader in the clubhouse. Griffey Jr. saved the Mariners in the 1990’s as he as well as Randy Johnson, Edgar Martinez and Alex Rodriguez played in such a way that ensured the Seattle franchise would remain in Seattle. Griffey achieved various feats during his career, ranging from scoring the winning run off of an Edgar Martinez in that memorable 1995 AL Division Series game, to hitting back-to-back homers with his Dad, Ken Griffey Sr. He was only batting .184 this year with no homers and seven RBI this year, but was a staple in the Mariner clubhouse, serving as the glue that held the Seattle team together. Griffey’s career did end on a good note, however, and his final hit was, fittingly, a game-winning pinch-hit single against Toronto on May 20. As he was surrounded and mugged by his teammates, Griffey was reminded of those earlier days in his career when he served up homerun bomb after homerun bomb and was the cornerstone to a franchise on the rebound in Seattle, making the organization what it is today. (Photo: Griffey Jr. displays the sweet swing that the fans in Seattle had grown to know and love. Photo courtesy of Andrew Webber-US Presswire.)