Griffey’s Retirement

A busy news day in baseball. As Ken Griffey Jr. announces his official retirement from baseball, a chapter is closed on baseball’s past. I hope that the blown call on Armando Galarraga’s perfect game attempt helps stimulate the mandate for more instant replay in baseball. If so, today could be seen as the opening of a new chapter in baseball’s future.

I spent my formative childhood years in and around Seattle. For better or worse, Griffey is what comes to my mind first when I think about the Mariners. Edgar Martinez was the better hitter and the consummate professional. Randy Johnson was electric in his own way on the field, but as a starting pitcher didn’t impact every game and he never had the force of personality that Griffey had.

Both of them were loved and even revered, but Griffey is the only player who I have ever seen stop concession sales. When he came up to bat in the 90s, people in line for a hot dog or beer would stop and watch the TV monitors. The lines stood still until the at bat was over.

The lines no longer stood still this season, but thankfully 2010 will eventually fade from memory. So many will remain. Griffey with his father in the clubhouse. Griffey hitting the warehouse in Baltimore. Griffey scoring the run in 1995. Griffey getting carried off the field in 2009. There are countless more.

The rational and calculating part of me is glad that Griffey has moved on. He was hurting the team on the field and that was too bad. On one hand, it is sad that it ends this way. On the other, I can confidently say that we saw every last drop of Junior that he could give us. There will be no wondering about what could have been with just one more year and in the end, I surprise myself by being almost happy that it does end that way.

So long, Griffey. I hope you stay around in some form or another and I will never, ever, forget your swing.





Matthew Carruth is a software engineer who has been fascinated with baseball statistics since age five. When not dissecting baseball, he is watching hockey or playing soccer.

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Rob
13 years ago

Is and will always be my favorite player..and it’s because of the last thing you mentioned..His Swing. It’s the reason I watched every Home Run Derby, All-Star Game, and collected all of his Baseball Cards. It’s a bitter sweet day for me. I’ll be there in Cooperstown July 2015.

Kevin S.
13 years ago
Reply to  Rob

2016… he won’t be retired five years when the ballots for the 2015 induction are due.

Rob
13 years ago
Reply to  Kevin S.

good call

neuter_your_dogma
13 years ago
Reply to  Kevin S.

Hey, no reason you can’t go to Cooperstown both years. Nice place.