Thursday, June 10, 2010

Mariners say goodbye as Ken Griffey Jr retires

Ken Griffey Jr suddenly retired on June 2, 2010, which was announced shortly before a game between the Mariners and also the Minnesota Twins. Griffey caught just about everybody off guard with the announcement. The decision seems to have been on his mind for a while, and he would rather call it a day early than remain on the team for the sake of nostalgia. Griffey's achievements are substantial to say the least. As the fifth all time home run hitter, he is in rarefied air as a player.

Article Source: Ken Griffey Jr retires from Mariners, baseball By Personal Money Store

21 year career brought to a close as Ken Griffey Jr retires

For sports individuals of the Pacific Northwest, you will find few who loom as large as Ken Griffey Jr. The Mariners and Ken Griffey Jr are about as inseparable within the minds of fans as Babe Ruth and the New York Yankees are. He made his professional debut in 1989, and he and his father are the only father and son to have played on the exact same team. He could field or hit with excellence. The first ten years he was Seattle, he won the Golden Glove award from the American League 10 times over and hit nearly 400 home runs.

The Emerald City and also the Kid part ways

Family was always the biggest priority for Griffey, and by 1999, wanted to move closer to them. The Cincinnati Reds traded for him, and ironically, it was the Reds who his father played for and won two World Series with. He was plagued by injuries, despite the fact that he was incredibly productive when fit. Ken Griffey Jr was eventually traded to the Chicago White Sox for half the 2008 season. When he entered free agency, there was a public outcry for the Mariners to get him back on the roster.

Return of the prodigal son

After he returned to the Mariners in 2009, he nevertheless had the magic as he powered in almost 20 home runs. By May of 2010, he had seen little time at the plate and no home runs. He had been listed as a reserve for a game against the Minnesota Twins, as outlined by the Seattle Times. An emergency press conference was called just before the game, where it was disclosed he had pulled the plug. He had said that his retirement would be swift and that he would "never allow myself to become a distraction." Griffey knew it was time to call the game.

More information on this topic

Seattle Times

seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/mariners/2012015906_griffey03.html



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