Now Entering the Hall of Fame, Ken Griffey Jr.

Sometime in the early 90's I decided to take my son to see the California Angels play the Seattle Mariners at Anaheim Stadium. We went figuring we would be able to by tickets at the gate, because back then no one ever went to see the Angels play. As we were walking into the parking area, us savvy folks always parked outside and saved a few coins, a guy approached me and wanted to know if I wanted some good tickets. I think I paid $40.00 for two club level seats just up the third base line from home plate. It was the perfect place to watch Ken Griffey Jr. hit. And hit he did. I am not sure when it happened. I am not even sure who won that night. But this much I know. Griffey hit a line drive shot out of the park that night and we saw it. Now I know a lot of you are saying big deal, lots of guys hit home runs, and I agree. But not every hitter can put a ball clean out of the stadium. And very few will ever do it like Griffey. You see, he didn't put the ball over the tops of those right field bleachers. Nope. He put that screaming line drive through the entrance tunnel to the seats in right field. He could have killed someone. It was one of the hardest balls I have ever seen hit. Yesterday, Ken Griffy Jr. retired from the game of baseball. From 1993 through 2000, he was the most feared hitter in baseball. An all star every year, gold glove winner every year, and the American League leader in home runs 4 of those years. He was the total package, hitting .294 and 351 home runs . And he did not take steroids. Griffey is retiring with 630 lifetime home runs. In my book, that places him fourth on the all time list, right behind Aaron, Ruth, and Mays. I count myself as privileged to have seen the future Hall of Famer play. Congratulations Ken Griffey Jr. on a great career.