Welcome to the Hall Junior

It was announced a few minutes ago as expected that Ken Griffey Junior becoming a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. He was named on 99% of the ballots which broke the record previously by Tom Seaver. There were only three ballots that he was not named on. All I have to say is what was wrong with those three guys. They could have made history if they had voted for Junior as well.

I still remember when he was drafted overall by the Seattle Mariners in the first round. I was so happy because I remember his dad Ken Griffey Sr. playing for the red machine the Cincinnati Reds. In fact his dad was still playing in the major leagues when he was drafted. They became the first father and son to play together on the same team when the Mariners signed Senior. I enjoyed watching Senior playing for the Reds and was a favorite of mine though there was other players like Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, and Joe Morgan who were more familiar to the fans. As a little kid I had Joe Morgan’s card as a rookie when he was playing for the Houston Astros. Actually they may have been known as the Colt 45 at the time. I thought Griffey Senior played a really good right field for Reds.

Until I saw Junior play center field for the Mariners in the old Kingdome my favorite player was Willie Mays. In many ways Junior reminded me of Mays playing center field. The only difference was that Junior was left handed unlike Mays who was right handed. I got to see the best two center fielders ever to play. Of course, Junior was great because I was an adult unlike Mays who I saw as a little kid so I was able to appreciate Junior a lot more. Also, like Mays there was no one who could hit with power and had speed on the bases as well in the outfield. I am sure if Junior had played higher in the lineup instead of third or fourth in the order he would have stolen more bases than he did.

Though we saw many times Junior making great catches that included going into the wall of the Kingdome the greatest scene we ever saw and we will always remember was in 1995 when Edgar Martinez hit a double to drive Junior in from first base. I always have that look on Junior’s face when he slide into home base and all the Mariner players landed on him. That was the greatest scene I have ever seen. The only thing I will ever see better if the Mariners ever win the World Series. We hope that can happen in the real near future.

Congratulations Junior going to Cooperstown. I will look forward to going there again to see you in your Mariner uniform. I did get a chance to see Ichiro in Cooperstown however there will be nothing like seeing you there. Of course, I will see Randy Johnson at the hall as well. The only other year we remember here besides 1995 at this point in Mariner history is 2001 when the Mariners won 216 games. All hail to you Ken Griffey Junior the greatest player in Seattle Mariner history. We applaud you.