As Ken Griffey Jr. is entering the ladder stages of his career wouldn’t it be fitting to send him home to Seattle, where his career took flight? Although Griffey grew up in Cincinnati and has family ties in that region he has created more memorable moments in a Mariners uniform.
One of the classic moments in baseball came in the 1995 ALDS where Griffey scored from first on an Edgar Martinez double. This classic moment became known as “the slide”. There is nothing that Seattle fans would like more than to see Griffey a the plate for one more season, or to see him standing in right field at the beautiful Safeco Field.
With the Mariners trade of Adam Jones and the departure of Jose Guillen the Mariners are left with a vacant spot in right field that is calling for Griffey. Last summer Griffey came to Safeco in an epic return of Seattle’s legend. He was graced with a standing ovation during his first at bat, and in a press conference told reporters he would love to return to Seattle.
Griffey was the Michael Jordan of baseball. He was the icon and during his days in Seattle he had more success than any player in that period of time. Griffey is one of the all time greats, a true gift to the game. Griffey can boast a highlight real that is longer than most full length movies. From diving plays in center field to leaping catches at the ball to the one of a kind swing that has blasted over 500 homeruns Griffey is one of the most complete players in the game of baseball.
If the Mariners management had any brains they would find a way to get Griffey back to Safeco in front of his home town fans, for one last encore. Imagine having an outfield with Ichiro and Griffey, two of Seattle’s finest, a spectacle one can only imagine, for now.
