There are only about half a dozen baseball memories where I can recall where I was, who I was with and quite possibly what I was drinking when “it” happened. The Dodgers Kurt Gibson’s hobbling home run trot in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series is one of them.
Three others belong to Ken Griffey Jr.
In 1989, Griffey wasn’t much older than me at the time. Stepping to the plate at age 19 in his first major league at bat, he lined a double in the left-center gap off Oakland’s Dave Stewart. In the bottom of the 11th in Game 5 of the 1995 division series, he scored from first base on an Edgar Martinez double to left – cementing future Mariner seasons in Seattle. In 2007, Junior was given a hero’s welcome back to Seattle when his visiting Cincinnati Reds swung through town.
In unprecedented fashion, the Mariners honored Griffey in a pre-game ceremony. The visibly shocked and humbled Reds outfielder took to the microphone and gave a heart-felt thank you address. It was the weirdest and most moving thing I’d ever seen at a baseball game in my lifetime.
The moment put the wheels in motion for his return and I’m not ashamed to say that I balled like Dick Vermeil after a Super Bowl win or retirement ceremony. From the outpouring of joy over Junior’s return to Seattle for possibly one last season, I’m not alone – close to 200 comments were left on the P-I’s Web site when the news broke.
The Mariners are hoping these folks buy tickets, renew tickets and purchase jerseys. I’m positive they’ll get a lift and stop the downward slide in attendance at Safeco Field despite a crippled economy and devastating recession. In any case, Seattle sports fans need a little something good to happen in this town, even if it’s a fleeting moment. And for the seam heads, this signing makes some baseball sense, so put a lid on it. The team says Griffey could hit 30 homers this season and the M’s might stay in the AL West race for three months instead of two.
So, welcome back Junior – we’ll see you at Safeco Field in April.
Three others belong to Ken Griffey Jr.
In 1989, Griffey wasn’t much older than me at the time. Stepping to the plate at age 19 in his first major league at bat, he lined a double in the left-center gap off Oakland’s Dave Stewart. In the bottom of the 11th in Game 5 of the 1995 division series, he scored from first base on an Edgar Martinez double to left – cementing future Mariner seasons in Seattle. In 2007, Junior was given a hero’s welcome back to Seattle when his visiting Cincinnati Reds swung through town.
In unprecedented fashion, the Mariners honored Griffey in a pre-game ceremony. The visibly shocked and humbled Reds outfielder took to the microphone and gave a heart-felt thank you address. It was the weirdest and most moving thing I’d ever seen at a baseball game in my lifetime.
The moment put the wheels in motion for his return and I’m not ashamed to say that I balled like Dick Vermeil after a Super Bowl win or retirement ceremony. From the outpouring of joy over Junior’s return to Seattle for possibly one last season, I’m not alone – close to 200 comments were left on the P-I’s Web site when the news broke.
The Mariners are hoping these folks buy tickets, renew tickets and purchase jerseys. I’m positive they’ll get a lift and stop the downward slide in attendance at Safeco Field despite a crippled economy and devastating recession. In any case, Seattle sports fans need a little something good to happen in this town, even if it’s a fleeting moment. And for the seam heads, this signing makes some baseball sense, so put a lid on it. The team says Griffey could hit 30 homers this season and the M’s might stay in the AL West race for three months instead of two.
So, welcome back Junior – we’ll see you at Safeco Field in April.
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