"The Kid"--Ken Griffey Jr. Retires

[POJO_Risin]

Wow...

You know, it's really unfortunate that Griffey's dropped off the radar over the past ten years or so. When he was a rookie...way back when I was a kid, there wasn't anyone more special. When ARod was a young player, he was Junior's caddy.

I remember watching him make plays as a 19-year old for Seattle...that were amazing.

I remember him playing in the same outfield with his dad.

I remember him blasting home runs year after year after year. 58 was his best, I do believe.

Here we are, with Griffey retiring after dealing with a barrage of injuries since he went to Cincy, and he's likely the one masher who didn't roid up...

Here's to you Griffey..when it was going good, and even not so good, it didn't get any better. Your joy of the game epitomized what it was all about. Let's hope people remember that...

and not the criticism that came later in your career...

[POJO_Risin]

You have to wonder how many more years he would have played had he not been an incredible defender...

Here's a top five the Griffey Jr. picked himself...and watch the end...it's what made him Mr. Baseball in my eyes...he was always...

The Kid...

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[Guitar Shark]

Great post Poj.

This is an extremely bittersweet day for me as a Mariners fan. Junior is a GOD in this town. True or not, the perception is that he saved baseball in Seattle. His signature moment as a Mariner is when he scored from first base to beat the Yankees in '95 (off Edgar Martinez signature hit, "The Double").

Best wishes to The Kid. Thanks for the memories.

[Va Beach VH Fan]

Damn shame, my '89 Upper Deck rookie card is barely worth $40 nowadays....

[Romeo Delight]

You have to wonder how many more years he would have played had he not been an incredible defender...

Here's a top five the Griffey Jr. picked himself...and watch the end...it's what made him Mr. Baseball in my eyes...he was always...

The Kid...

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In my mind the defensive side of his game was the most impressive part of his game.

There was no one who could do that for as long as he did. It was amazing to watch

[High Life Man]

I hate when they hang on too long....but that being said, he was a damn good player.

Next stop, Cooperstown.

[knuckleboner]

greatest (actual) hitter of our generation.

all around amazing to watch. true, a lot of what-ifs in the career. but even still, what a career. next stop cooperstown.

[hideyoursheep]

Last truly great player we had-besides Larkin and maybe Deion.

[Hardrock69]

Man, he fucking RULED!

There are not many (if any) true baseball heroes like the heroes of yesteryear in MLB these days.

Junior has had a well and storied career, and deserves every bit of praise he gets!