An off topic salute to the Kid

There’s something special about the player who was considered the best in the world when you first become a fan of the game. Forever when you think of baseball you associate in some part your feelings towards the game with that player. He’s an icon of what the game was when you came to understand it, and the personification of the beauty of the game and the greatness that can be achieved in it.

For me, that was Ken Griffey Jr, and what a player to have that forever relationship with. Griffey was a true five tool player, who despite his slender physique was one of the most feared power hitters of all time. His grace running through the outfield and robbing home runs seemed almost as effortless as his unmatchable swing. He hit balls harder and further then anyone could expect, and he did it all with fashion and respect for the game.

As a child watching, “The Kid,” you couldn’t help but dream to become a major leaguer some day. He looked as if he enjoyed the game more then anyone on the field, as he often flashed that million dollar smile. He often seemed to amaze himself with his growing abilities, much like a player first learning the game, which reminded kids my age of ourselves and our fathers of their own childhood.

But even Griffey’s famous charisma was overshadowed by his own greatness. Not since Willie Mays or Micky Mantle had the majors seen a player with such raw power and such smooth mechanics. From the minute he came into the league he started setting home run records, and was often chasing the elusive 61 home run mark set by Roger Maris. By the time he was 29 people were already expecting him to break Hank Aarons home run mark, as he was the youngest player to 200, 300, and 400 home runs at the time.

However before his 30^th birthday he decided he wanted to play in his home state, and was shipped to Cincinnati to embark on the second half of his career. Things didn’t go so well. Griffey became subject to injury after injury and could never repeat the success he had in Seattle. It was a sad sight to see greatness derailed by nagging injuries, his smile faded and so did our memory of The Kid.

It’s not fair that one of the greatest power hitters of all time got overshadowed by players who took drugs to extend their careers. Griffey just couldn’t recover from injuries, while power hitters all around him were mysteriously rejuvenated; putting up power numbers no one had seen before. The player who stood for everything good about the game was eclipsed in his prime by things that represented everything awful in baseball; greed, cheating, and dishonesty.

It is sad that even today, after steroids have been persecuted and rejected from our game, Griffey’s accomplishments are still being ignored due to them. He is currently at 598 home runs, fast approaching the major milestone of 600. It seems however that fans just cant get on board with Griffey’s chase. Perhaps fans are tired of home runs, perhaps we feel they symbolize the steroid scandal that almost tore this game apart. Regardless of the reason, it seems everyone wants to just push this accomplishment under the rug.

I won’t. We owe a salute to one of the greatest players to ever play the game, and his outstanding accomplishment. Griffey is one of the true legends we can take from our generation, and he should be cherished, not swept to the back of our mind.

Congratulations Griffey on 600 homers, whenever it comes. You’re one of the greatest of all time.