Junior

I’ve got the brand new doo-doo.  Guaranteed like Yoo Hoo.  I’m on like Dr John, yea Mr Zu Zu.  I’ve got more action than my man John Woo.  And I’ve got mad hits like I was Rod Carew.  -Beastie Boys

Public Service Announcement:  OK, here we go!  600.  Finally.  Finally it has happened to me.  Right in front of my face.  My feelings can’t describe it.  Finally it has happened to me.  Right in front of my face.  And I just cannot hide it.  Finally it has happened to Ken Griffey Junior. 

MLB.  Where 600 happens.  What’s the frequency Kenneth?  I’ll tell you what the frequency is.  Ken Griffey Jr. just hit his 600th career homer.  That’s what the frequency is.  Sixth place all time.  That’s what the frequency is.  Just nine back behind Slammin’ Sammy Sosa.  Sixty back behind the Say Kid.  But say hey, 20 bombs in three years as an American League DH isn’t so far fetched.  That’s what the frequency is.

Griff is one of the good guys.  One of those guys who did it the right way.  The Greg Maddux way.  The Frank Thomas way.  And more, much more than this, I did it my way.  Been doing it his way from the giddy-up.  From the giddy-up when he was selected with the first overall pick by the Seattle Mariners.  Louder than bomb.  Just tearing it up his rookie year.  Rookie of the Yearing it up.  Then it happened.  Then the first of many.  Griff slipped in the shower and broke a bone in his right hand.  He got knocked down.  But he got up again.  You’re never going to keep him down. 

Throughout the nineties he was a beast.  The high priest.  The best from West to East.  Junior was arguably the best player of the decade.  Elected to the All Century Team.  Voted one of the top twenty-five players of the 20th century.   He produced runs.  He hit for average.  He hit over .300 in seven years of the ‘90s.  It’s gettin’ it’s gettin’ it’s gettin’ kinda hectic.  He’s got the power.  He smashed 422 bombs during the decade.  He was the best center fielder of the decade.  Gold Gloves from 1990 to 1999.  Great range.  Sick range.  Home, home on the range.  Where the deer and the antelope play.  Diving plays.  Spectacular plays.  Freddie Lynn plays. 

From 1990 to 1999 he was chosen as the American League’s All-Star centerfielder.  In 1992 he was named the All-Star game’s MVP. Wheaties boxes.  Knock you off your sockses.  Bagels and loxes.  He was the man.  He won games with his legs.  Saving baseball in Seattle with his legs. You remember.  You remember Game Five.  Game Five versus the Bombers.  Series even at two apiece.  Bottom of the 11th against the Bombers.  Junior on first.  Edgar with the hit.  Hit it just a little bit.  Hit it lickety split.  There goes Griff.  He..could…go…all…the…way.  He does!  He does!  He scores from first base!  Mariners win!  Mariners win! 

Then he moved to Cincinnati.  Then the injury bug hit.  The injury bug hit hard.  From 2001 through 2004, Junior was plagued by an endless string of injuries.  Griffey has missed more than 600 games, nearly four full major-league seasons, due to injuries.  Season-ending injuries.  Torn hamstrings.  Dislocated shoulder.  Torn ankle tendon.  Torn knee tendon.  Dislocated toe.  

The injuries lowered his bat speed, lessened his power and curbed his home run production.  He slugged only .426 before going down in 2002.  His lowest output in seven years.  He’s never really been the same.  Ain’t that a shame.  My tears fell like rain.  But last night, they were tears of joy.  Tears of joy for my boy.  Tears of joy for Ken Griffey Junior. 

Public Acknowledgements:  CeCe Pennison, LL Cool J, REM, The Cincinnati Enquirer, Frank Sinatra, The Wall Street Journal, Public Enemy, Rex Trailer and Snap

Public Spectacle:

Peace out homies.  Six Two and Even!

Need More? Cincinnati Reds, Ken Griffey Jr., MLB