...if its Griffey!
Ken Griffey, Jr. Has long been my hero, idol all around role model growing up. Not only because he is the greatest player to have ever graced the fields of Seattle (and one of the greatest ever in the game of baseball) but because of his class, humility, and attitude about the game of baseball. He grew up around the game and started as "The Kid" and will forever be known as one. Not just because he was his father's son but because when he was playing he did it with a pure joy and a youthfulness that can never be matched. When he walked onto the field with that million dollar smile, he was able to turn everyone watching him into a kid again as well. Watching him brought us back to a time in our childhood when we played for the bragging rights at the local sandlot, or in our backyards with our siblings and ghost runners. We all became the 12 yr old version of ourselves whenever he was up to bat or making a diving play in center field and he made us giddy with what he would do next. He transcended the game and the game will NEVER be the same without him.
Griffey played in an era of baseball which is now being tainted by steroids and money, but those two words can never and will never be linked to him. He did not play for greed, or to have his name in the record books, he played for love of the game. He left Seattle to be closer to his family, he came back to Seattle to say goodbye to his adopted family and the city that raised him. He did it the right way. He did not succumb to the temptations of the other superstars of his era. He wanted to play it clean and see where it could take him, and he wanted to be able to tell his children (and our children) you don't have to cheat to be good. All you need is god given talent and ability-and lord knows he had both.
I have had the unique chance to meet Griffey once. It is a day I will always remember. My brother, Terry, used to work in the clubhouse for the Mariners and after a game he got me a pass to come meet some of the players. As I made my way down I was a little worried that the players would be upset because they just got blown out and had not played well, at all. A lot of the players walked past us, some stayed in the locker room, but eventually out came Junior. I was too nervous to talk to him...I think I was worried he would blow me off and I did not want to shatter my image of him. My brother knew how much I wanted to meet him and get his autograph so he kinda walked up with us to his car (an awesome tricked out hummer) and said "hey Junior, my sister is here, would you mind signing a ball for her?" his response, "Sure!" I walked up to the window, shaking, and did not say a word until he spoke.
Griffey: "Hey-nice to meet you"
Me: "Ummm hi...can you sign my baseball?"
Griffey: "of course"-he then looks at the other players I had on it and says, "looks like you got quite a few people on here, make sure your brother gets the guys in the clubhouse for you"
Me: "ummm yeah ok, ill try" "thanks...good game!" and he kinda laughed and smiled and drove away.
This was all of a two minute exchange and one I'm sure had zero effect on him, as he had done the same thing a million times. But to me, a young girl, standing in front of her hero, it is something I will never forget. Sure the ball is probably worth something as it has Edgar, and Wilson, and a few others on it but for me its worth so much more than money. By him taking that two minutes I have a story and a ball I can pass down to the next generations. He easily could have said hey you know not today it was a bad game, but he didn't and for the that I will always have the greatest respect and appreciation for him.
I'm not ashamed to admit I shed a few tears yesterday watching his old highlights, and hearing past teammates talk about him. I know some of you may not understand my admiration of this person, and that's ok, but for me-it really is the end of an era...the kid is gone, the game will never be the same, and its time to grow up.
Thanks for everything Junior, we'll see ya in Cooperstown!
