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Big League Stew

Wed Feb 18, 2009 11:35 pm EST

Old Kid in town: Griffey Jr. snubs the ATL, heads back to Mariners

By David Brown

He took the Braves for a test drive before deciding to return home (one of them) to Seattle.

Ken Griffey Jr. is headed back to Seattle where his probable Hall-of-Fame career began in 1989. It seems like yesterday, or at least last week, that the kid was flipping his cap backward in BP, running into the fence in the Kingdome, or up the fence in Yankee Stadium, all the while displaying a joy and skill for the game few tried matching.

Here's initial reaction from Talking Chop and the U.S.S. Mariner.

Griffey spent most of the past 10 years in Cincinnati, another place he calls home, plus a brief stint with the White Sox in Chicago. Griffey had his moments in both towns, but he'll always be a Mariner first.

Like when he scored the winning run against the Yankees to win an unforgettable playoff game in 1995 that helped save baseball in Seattle.

That's right-hander Bob Wolcott, the top of Vince Coleman's head and the hair of a really young Alex Rodriguez (between Coleman's left ear and Wolcott's left arm) piling on.

And now, a Big League Stew photo essay, starting with a few updates from earlier in the day. For more photos of Griffey through the years, check out Sports Illustrated.

Earlier in the '95 season, Griffey made one of his best plays — that also happened to break his wrist.

* * *

A season later in '96, Griffey was back flying through the air with the greatest of ease, this time robbing Tim Naehring of the Red Sox at Fenway Park. No broken bones, either.

* * *

Yeah, he caught it (at Yankee Stadium in '97).

Photographers stand there for hours and take pictures just in case subtle moments like this happen between father (left) and son (in '90).

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"Uncle" Dave Winfield (center) wants to know what it is Ken Griffey Sr. (right) thinks he sees at the Big "A" in '90. Winfield played until '95 and the younger Griffey's still going at age 39.

* * *

Spying on the White Sox dugout, in 1991, getting training for a second career he didn't need.

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This is the card we all wanted in '89, a Griffey Upper Deck Rookie.

Well, that and the Billy Ripken Fleer.

* * *

The M's have improved on their caps SO much over the years.

* * *

Hilarious look on Frank Thomas' face as Griffey gives him love about his possibly expanding waistline in '96. Griffey got a little chunky over the years, too, it turned out.

* * *

He was baseball's freshest face in '89, wasn't he?

* * *

And now, Griffey is right back where he started.

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32 Comments

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  1. Jay Busbee
    1. Posted by Jay Busbee Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:33 pm EDT

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    Urge...to...kill...rising...
    Seriously, the line about inability to find companionship in a brothel comes to mind when we're talking the Braves these days.
  2. IchiDeath
    2. Posted by IchiDeath Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:22 pm EDT

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    The Braves will be better off not getting him. Even if his knee is truly healthy there's still a good chance he'd suck Raul Ibanez-type wind in LF. He'll hopefully just DH v. RHP for the M's this year.
    I don't have any specific Griffey moments, but as a young kid watching on TV his swing alone made me a fan of both the Mariners and the game. I am happy to see him back, as long as he doesn't touch the outfield grass.
  3. Darth Vader
    3. Posted by Darth Vader Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:49 pm EDT

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    I love the 89 Upper Deck Griffey Jr. card but dont forget about Greg Jeffries too.He was just as hot if not hotter in 89.Also I'll throw in Jerome Walton from the high series set,ROY in 89.
  4. CJ
    4. Posted by CJ Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:26 pm EDT

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    I'm glad to see Griffey make a victory lap around Seattle. I hope that the HOF voters see Griffey in a true light. If he'd been juicing like everyone else of note of his era, he'd never have had the injuries he had in Cincinnati. Even with the injuries, he's had a HOF career measured fairly. Oh, and a memory? See that Upper Deck rated rookie card up there? I had it, but had to sell it to pay a speeding ticked way back then, lol.
  5. Pete M
    5. Posted by Pete M Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:07 pm EDT

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    Lost a lot of respect for Junior though. Number one should be your family, and he just dissed them to play for a last place team. Stupid!
  6. jabuspub
    6. Posted by jabuspub Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:26 pm EDT

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    Doesn't anybody remember that Griffey "went home" to Cincinnati years ago? And that Red's fans found his ego to be unbearable? And now he want's to "come home" the Mariners, the same team he left high and dry as a 10 and five player? Doesn't anybody remember other players bristling at his three lockers or power over what game day jersey the get to wear? Doesn't anybody remember that he can't stay healthy because he doesn't do what it takes to stay healthy? I've been a fan of the Mariners since they were a franchise and I'd rather keep my lover for players who deserve it: Edgar, Randy, Lou, Irchiro and all the rest who left there level best on the field.
  7. Kyle
    7. Posted by Kyle Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:48 pm EDT

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    Was I really in fifth grade in Lacey, WA when we all tried to emulate Junior's sweet lefty swing.
    Holy cow I feel old.
  8. pianow
    8. Posted by pianow Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:10 pm EDT

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    The fourth picture in that SI sequence is just ridiculous.
  9. robby
    9. Posted by robby Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:45 pm EDT

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    he might come to makethis his last stand or more time retired in seattle come home once agian welcome back to seatlle ken griffey jr
  10. dragon43078
    10. Posted by dragon43078 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:47 pm EDT

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    The market in Seattle and the new ticket sales just jumped with this signing. He will be the DH most of the time while filling in in left field. Look for a maximum of 140 games with 125 games played being more realistic. Most of the games he will miss will be road games. They will try to have him in every home game. With the succesful surgury and his weight loss, he shold get 25-30 home runs with that short right field.
    IF he can avoid the DL and Seattle doesn't give up on him.
  11. Brian K
    11. Posted by Brian K Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:12 pm EDT

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    Griffey is going to be pissed when he finds out John Olerud doesn't play for the team anymore.
  12. kingkratz23
    12. Posted by kingkratz23 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:51 pm EDT

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    It's great to see such an amazing talent remembered again. There was no one better, and no one represents the game of baseball better. The Kid is back for his last shining moment, back in Seattle where he belongs. I am from Philly but its so important that the baseball nation gets to witness Junior roam the outfield (hopefully he's not just a DH) again in Seattle. Baseball's facing its darkest hour, and I hope fans young and old join in and remember the joy Griffey brought us as Mariner. I grew up watching him, and I fell in love with baseball because him. I hope people who are old enough to remember him pass this lesson on to those who think this sport is dead. Despite everything that has happened, this sport is very much a live. Thank you Junior for always brining integrity to America's past time.
  13. Hans B Rough
    13. Posted by Hans B Rough Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:48 pm EDT

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    Number 6... Pete M... are you serious? Lost respect for Griffey? Those words should never be mentioned in the same sentence. All of the drug use and suck coming to light in Baseball these days and you say that you have "lost respect" for (what seems to me) one of the nicest guys and most "naturally gifted" players that I've ever seen. If Griffeys name ever came out in reports then thats when I would officially shed a tear and be done with baseball. I'm not sure of what the family dissing comment is all about because it wasn't mentioned... maybe you can fill me in there..... but definately don't lose respect for Griffey. Thanks for the great childhood (and current) memories Junior. It will always be a pleasure to watch you play! You have always given it your all and thats for damn sure!
  14. Hans B Rough
    14. Posted by Hans B Rough Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:48 pm EDT

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    meant "drug use and SUCH"... not "suck"... sorry
  15. Hans B Rough
    15. Posted by Hans B Rough Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:48 pm EDT

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    As a Braves fan... I would have loved to have had him for his last HOORAH. Damn I love that 89 Upperdeck card. Brings back alot of good childhood memories (first job ever was in a baseball card shop and we worked for merchandise). I miss those times.... long live EXTRA INNINGS baseball card shop in Dunn NC. Its gone but not forgotten. I miss ya Roger Matthews!
  16. Pete M
    16. Posted by Pete M Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:07 pm EDT

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    UNC Fan-I read somewhere that Griffey and his family live close to Atlanta. To me, signing with Seattle shows that cares more about a little money than being close to his family because Seattle is clear across the country. And he can't use the excuse that he is going all the way over there to win a title, because that definately wont happen (and I know that wouldnt happen in Atlanta either)
  17. Ace
    17. Posted by Ace Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:44 pm EDT

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    LOL@ BKan
  18. blueviper_lovemuffin
    18. Posted by blueviper_lovemuffin Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:09 pm EDT

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    I was born a year after Griffy's rookie season, but in 94 was when I first started playing baseball and it was all because of him. My dad grew up in Washington but I was born and raised in California. A lot of people thought I was just bandwagon jumping, but I love the Mariners even today. I remember being 5 and on the back of our "baseball" cards that we took, my favorite player was always Junior. He was a role model for me, he was a young ball player that I and a lot of other kids looked up to. I am unfortunatly done with baseball as a sport (I am in college and wasn't good enough to play past high school) but I still love the game. I hope and pray that some time this summer I get a chance to see KGJ in person at SafeCo Field, because that will quite simply be one of the happiest days of my life. I love the sport, regardless of the steroids and Bud Selig. Baseball is Americas Game, and I am so happy to have had it in my life.
  19. Aaron M
    19. Posted by Aaron M Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:26 pm EDT

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    Always been a fan of griffey, i remember going up to the kingdom (from LA) when i was young, he's just one of those players you can't help but love, he's passion for the game is incredible, he was the heart of that city while he was there never mind a team that featured 2 sure-in hall of famers, and the now debateable ARod... that team was stacked if they had kept it together a bit longer, ARod Griffey and Randy Johnson are you kidding me?
  20. Hans B Rough
    20. Posted by Hans B Rough Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:48 pm EDT

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    Thanks for the info Pete...... still not digging the "lost respect for" thing but to each his own. I hope its not true.
  21. blueviper_lovemuffin
    21. Posted by blueviper_lovemuffin Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:09 pm EDT

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    On a Mariners side note, I would like to say that we have completely switched roles from last year. We were favorites to win the division last year, this year I think we can surprise a lot of people. The pitching is there, with Felix only 23 I believe, yet to have his "career" year, I think this is it. I believe that if he plays to what he's capable, his first Cy Young will be this year. Brandon Morrow is in the rotation and should show off the skills that he gave a sample of at the end of last season. Erik Bedard should be healthy, and really, his stats weren't horrible before he was shut down. Carlos Silva is healthy and lost what I believe was 35 pounds in the off season. Hopefully Washburn pitches in the 4/5 spot because we need him to preform fairly well so we can dump his sorry butt come trade deadline. Rowland-Smith should take his spot anyway, but probably wont. The offense is improving, specifically Jose Lopez. He's developing into a great hitter, and last year is something I feel he can definitely improve on. He's only 25, so its very possible. Wladamir Balentine has the power, but needs to be more selective, but that comes with time. Jeff Clement, unfortunatly, I don't see being part of the future plans unless he can uproot Johjima by having a tremendos Spring Training (Kenji is in Japan for the WBC). Griffy adds some pop at DH (Finally!) and Ichrio will continue to be his usual consistiant self. Beltre is on a contract year, so I expect him to improve, though not dramatically.
    1. Ichiro CF
    2. Jose Lopez 2B
    3. Ken Griffy Jr. DH
    4. Russell Branyan 1B
    5. Adrian Beltre 3B
    6. Wladimir Balentien LF
    7. Franklin Gutierrez RF
    8. Kenji Johjima C
    9. Yuniesky Betancourt SS
    1. Felix Hernandez
    2. Erik Bedard
    3. Brandon Morrow
    4. Carlos Silva
    5. Jarrod Washburn/Ryan Rowland-Smith
    While not as appitising as the Angels, the Mariners could very well be a dark horse if everything pans out. I love what JackZ is doing, and it should only get better as the season goes on.
    (Obviously those aren't the real deal, they're just rough drafts of what should be the starting rotation/lineup.)
    Go Mariners in 09!
  22. blueviper_lovemuffin
    22. Posted by blueviper_lovemuffin Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:09 pm EDT

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    Pete:
    The Braves were offering around the same amount of money. The Mariners got him for cheap, plain and simple. He's going back to a place he knows and loves. To say it's about money is to me, ludicrous. He's 39 and was just in is first free agencey ever. Who knows why he signed there, but all signs point to coming home for one last time in Seattle, to finish off his career where he knows he will be adored by the fan base he helped build. He is a Mariner first and fore most, and he will always be remembered as one.
  23. Big Ben
    23. Posted by Big Ben Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:20 pm EDT

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    As a kid who grew up with Ken Griffey, Jay Buhner, and Edgar Martinez(amoung many others) and with baseball in my blood(Thanks Great Great Great Grandfather for making such a wonderful game), i am so unbeleivably stoked for Griffey to return i was able to attened both Edgar's and Jay's last games and it so very evident that he has returned for a last "victory lap" in seattle im sure all get to attend his last as well. Classy guy who during a baseball age of steriod scandels has remained classy. Can't wait to go to some games this summer.

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