Jason Gammons History 400 Dr.

Namarato Spring 2013

The Homerun Kid: The mpa!t o" Ken Gri""ey# Jr. on $a%or &eague 'ase(a))

George Kenneth Gri""ey Junior *as (orn No+em(er 21# 1,-,# in the .uant to*n o" Donora# /ennsy)+ania. Donora is a)so *e)) 0no*n "or produ!ing the great ma%or )eague Ha)) o" 1amer Stan 2The $an3 $usia). Ken Gri""ey Junior *as the "irst o" t*o !hi)dren (orn to Ken Gri""ey Senior and $rs. Gri""ey# *ho *as 0no*n as 'irdie. His (rother 4raig Gri""ey *as (orn to the !oup)e in 1,51.1 The Gri""ey "ami)y *as no stranger to the game o" (ase(a)). Ken Gri""ey Senior *as dra"ted in 1,-, (y the 4in!innati 6eds ma%or )eague (ase(a)) organi7ation. Senior *as dra"ted in the t*enty ninth round# and he signed a !ontra!t *ith their minor )eague !)u( immediate)y. Ken Gri""ey Senior and 'irdie strugg)ed "inan!ia))y ear)y in their marriage. Gri""ey Senior too0 on e8tra *or0 during the (ase(a)) o""season to try to pro+ide "or his "ami)y. 9hene+er Senior !ou)d not "ind *or0# the "ami)y a!!epted *e)"are "rom the go+ernment.2 The Gri""ey "ami)y:s "inan!ia) status drasti!a))y !hanged in 1,53. n 1,53 Senior earned a spot on the 4in!innati 6eds ma%or )eague !)u( roster. He made the de!ision to pa!0 up the "ami)y# and they re)o!ated to Larry Stone, Ken Griffey, Jr: The Homerun Kid: In Baseball Superstar Series ( nited States: Sports !ublishin" In#$, 1%%%&, %, '''$(BS)*host$
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4in!innati# ;hio. n 1,5< Senior *as the starting out"ie)der "or the "amous 4in!innati 6eds team 0no*n as the 2'ig 6ed $a!hine.33 The 2'ig 6ed $a!hine3 *on the 1,5< and 1,5- 9or)d Series. Ken Senior *as a mem(er o" the ma%or )eague =))>Star team three times in 1,5-# 1,55# and 1,?0. He *as a)so named the $ost @a)ua()e /)ayer o" the 1,?0 =))>Star game.4 Ken Gri""ey Junior gre* up around the game o" (ase(a)) and great p)ayers his *ho)e )i"e. 9hen Junior (e!ame o)d enough he *ou)d tra+e) *ith his "ather to the ma%or )eague (ase(a)) par0s. 9hen Junior (egan p)aying (ase(a)) in the 4in!innati youth )eagues# he *as !onsidered a dominant p)ayer (e!ause he *as more ath)eti!a))y ad+an!ed than his peers. His mother *as o"ten "or!ed to (ring his (irth !erti"i!ate to games to pro+e his age. This *as (e!ause other !oa!hes *ou)d re"use to p)ay his team unti) his age *as pro+en. Ken Senior did not *itness the ear)y maturation o" his son:s (ase(a)) !areer. This *as (e!ause o" the !onstant demand and dedi!ation that *as re.uired o" him *hi)e p)aying ma%or )eague (ase(a))# and Senior *as traded to the Ne* Aor0 Aan0ees during Junior:s (ase(a)) youth.< Ken Senior "e)t that the "ami)y shou)d stay in 4in!innati *hi)e he p)ayed (ase(a)) in Ne* Aor0.Junior "e)t that he *as under !onstant s!rutiny *hen he p)ayed (ase(a))# and he did not *ant to (e !ompared to his "ather *hi)e he gre* up.5 Junior p)ayed youth (a)) *ith his (rother 4raig# (ut 4raig ne+er "e)t pressured )i0e Junior. Senior *ou)d !at!h one o" their games on a
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rare o!!asion# (ut Junior *ou)d not per"orm *e)) (e!ause o" his "ather (eing present. Junior "e)t that his "ather *as the on)y person that he e+er needed to impress on the (ase(a)) diamond.? Ken Gri""ey Junior attended $oe))er High S!hoo) in 4in!innati# ;hio. Junior p)ayed *ide re!ei+er on the "oot(a)) team and *on a state "oot(a)) !hampionship during his %unior year. Junior a)so p)ayed on the high s!hoo) (ase(a)) team and e+eryone 0ne* this sport *as his destiny., $oe))er High S!hoo) a)so produ!ed other ma%or )eague greats su!h as 'arry &ar0in and 'uddy 'e)). Junior set three (atting re!ords at $oe))er (y hitting three homeruns in a sing)e game# e)e+en homeruns in a sing)e season# and t*enty homeruns in his high s!hoo) !areer.10 During his senior year o" high s!hoo)# Junior and his "ami)y sat do*n together and dis!ussed his "uture. " he *as not se)e!ted in the "irst three rounds o" the ma%or )eague (ase(a)) dra"t he *ou)d attend the Bni+ersity o" ;0)ahoma on a "u)) ath)eti! s!ho)arship. Junior p)anned on pursuing his !hi)dhood dream o" studying me!hani!a) dra*ing to (e!ome an ar!hite!t.11 Ho*e+er# !o))ege )i"e *ou)d ne+er !ome to "ruition "or Junior (e!ause on June 2# 1,?5# the se+enteen year>o)d *as one o" 1#2-3 p)ayers !hosen in the dra"t. Ken Gri""ey Junior *as the num(er one o+era)) se)e!tion in the dra"t (y the Seatt)e $ariners. Junior signed a !ontra!t that in!)uded an C1?0#000 signing (onus and reported to the $ariners: roo0ie )eague team in

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'e))ingham# 9ashington.12 'e))ingham is )o!ated appro8imate)y ,0 mi)es north o" Seatt)e and 20 mi)es south o" the 4anadian (order.13 Ken Gri""ey Junior !hose to *ear the num(er 24 *hen he entered the $ariners: minor )eague organi7ation. The num(er 24 *as *orn (y# 6i!0y Henderson# the !hi)dhood ido) o" Junior. Junior *as a)so !onstant)y !ompared to another Ha)) o" 1ame out"ie)der *ho *ore num(er 24# 9i))ie $ays. Gri""ey Junior:s "irst hit as a pro"essiona) (ase(a)) p)ayer *as a homerun# and he "inished his "irst year *ith a (atting a+erage o" .313 in <4 games.14 He a)so !ompi)ed 14 homeruns *ith 40 runs (atted in during the <4 game span o" his "irst year "or the $ariners: &o*>= 'e))ingham !)u(. He had a s)ugging per!entage o" .-04 and an on (ase per!entage o" .44<. He a)so had 42 stri0eouts in his "irst pro"essiona) season.1< The "irst year in the minor )eague (ase(a)) *as not a dream !ome true "or Ken Gri""ey Junior. He *ent into a hitting s)ump# and he (e!ame homesi!0 sin!e this *as the "irst e8tended time he had (een a*ay "rom 4in!innati. The team had to ma0e )ong road trips on a poor)y a!!ommodated (us (e!ause o" their pro8imity to other teams in the )eague. The team (us *as a sma)) 1,<? mode) that )a!0ed on(oard "a!i)ities. Junior o"ten had to s)eep in the o+erhead )uggage !ompartment (e!ause o" the )a!0 o" room "or p)ayers to stret!h out and re)a8. Gri""ey Junior *as a)so put in un!om"orta()e situations (y the teenage sons o" the (us dri+er. The t*o
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(oys *ou)d shout ra!ia) s)urs at Junior on road trips and e+en point guns at him.1- =t the end o" his "irst season# Junior returned to 4in!innati# (ut he !ou)d not outrun the tremendous stress and pressure. Junior tried to !ommit sui!ide (y ingesting 255 aspirin. He *as rushed to the hospita) in 4in!innati# and his attempt *as 0ept se!ret (y the "ami)y. = !oup)e o" years a"ter this in!ident Junior de!ided to go pu()i! *ith the story in an e""ort to rea!h out and di+ert other teens "rom attempting sui!ide.15 The "o))o*ing season Ken Gri""ey Junior returned to (ase(a)) "or the $ariners. He did not return to 'e))ingham# 9ashington. nstead he *as promoted to the $ariners High>= !)u(. This part o" the $ariners: organi7ation *as )o!ated in San 'ernardino# 4a)i"ornia. Bn"ortunate)y# this season did not "are *e)) "or Junior (e!ause he *as p)a!ed on the disa()ed )ist "or t*o months near the midd)e o" the season *ith a strained (a!0.1? ;n!e he returned to the )ine>up# it *as (usiness as usua) *ith hitting the )ong (a)). 9hi)e Junior p)ayed at San 'ernardino# he hit 11 homeruns *ith 42 runs (atted in. He posted a (atting a+erage o" .33? in <? games. He a)so had an on (ase per!entage o" .431 and a s)ugging per!entage o" .<5<. Junior on)y had 3, stri0eouts *hi)e a mem(er o" the San 'ernardino !)u(.1, n the midd)e o" =ugust# he *as promoted to the $ariners dou()e>= !)u( in @ermont *here he "inished out the remainder o" the season (y p)aying in the "ina) 15 games.20 He had a (atting a+erage o" .25, *ith -1 p)ate
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appearan!es "or @ermont. Junior a)so had an on (ase per!entage o" .3<3 and a s)ugging per!entage o" .4,2. He hit t*o homeruns# 10 runs (atted in# and had 12 stri0eouts *hi)e a mem(er o" the dou()e = !)u(.21 n 1,?, Gri""ey Junior re!ei+ed a !a)) to p)ay "or the $ariners in the 4a!tus &eague during spring training. Junior ans*ered the !a)) (y setting Seatt)e $ariners spring training re!ords. He ended his per"orman!e in the 4a!tus &eague (y tota)ing 32 hits# 4, tota) (ases# and 20 runs (atted in# *hi)e hitting *ith an a+erage o" .3<,. This per"orman!e )anded him the starting !enter "ie)ding %o( "or the Seatt)e $ariners ma%or )eague !)u( in 1,?,.22 The "o))o*ing day History *as made in $a%or &eague 'ase(a)). Ken Gri""ey Senior signed a one year !ontra!t *ith the 4in!innati 6eds# and Senior and Junior (e!ame the "irst "ather and son to p)ay in the same season in the ma%or )eague history.23 This same year Junior met his "uture *i"e $e)issa Gay. The t*o met ea!h other at an a)!oho)>"ree under>21 !)u( *hen they *ere (oth 1, years o" age. $e)issa as0ed Junior to dan!e# and it *as )o+e at "irst sight.24 n 1,?, Ken Gri""ey Junior made it to the (ig sho*# and the )ega!y o" 2The Kid3 *as (orn. His roo0ie season *as !ut short and pro+ed to (e a huge disappointment "or himse)" and the organi7ation. The 1, year o)d (ase(a)) phenomenon had an a*0*ard a!!ident on the "ie)d. 9hi)e Junior *as *arming up (e"ore the game *ith his teammates# a (a)) g)an!ed o"" his g)o+e# bry#e=>en="riffey=?r='ho=finishes='ith=a=better=#areer (a##essed 6pril 1,, +,1-&$
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and he *as stru!0 in the eye. This un"ortunate a!!ident )anded him on the (en!h "or the opening game# and *hen he returned to the )ine>up# he !ontinued to strugg)e "or the remainder o" the season.2< ;n!e Junior:s roo0ie season *ith the $ariners had !ome to a !)ose# his num(ers sho*ed that the transition to the ma%ors pro+ed a s)ight !ha))enge to 2The Kid3. Junior p)ayed in 125 games in 1,?, and appeared at the p)ate 4<< times. He had a (atting a+erage o" .2-4 *ith 1- homeruns that season. Junior a)so posted ?3 stri0eouts and -1 runs (atted in. He a)so had an on (ase per!entage o" .32, and a s)ugging per!entage o" .420.2Ken Gri""ey Junior *ou)d in%ure himse)" t*o more times during his !areer. ;n $ay 2-# 1,,<# Ke+in 'ass o" the 'a)timore ;rio)es hit a shot to*ards !enter "ie)d. Junior (are)y !aught the (a)) as he s)ammed into the *a)) at "u)) speed. He hit the padded *a)) so hard that it )e"t the si)houette o" his (ody indented into the padding. He (ro0e his *rist in "i"teen p)a!es ma0ing this spe!ta!u)ar p)ay in "ront o" the home !ro*d. Junior rea)i7ed that something *as serious)y *rong immediate)y a"ter ma0ing the !at!h. He had emergen!y surgery *here they inserted se+en s!re*s and a meta) p)ate to sta(i)i7e his *rist. He returned "rom the disa()ed )ist "aster than the team and do!tors had anti!ipated. He *as e8pe!ted to miss se+era) months (ut he returned to the )ineup on =ugust 1<# 1,,<.25 Junior p)ayed in on)y 52 games o" the season (e!ause o" the in%ury

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he su""ered. During the 52 games# he appeared at the p)ate 2-0 times and had a (atting a+erage o" .2<?. He had 15 homeruns and 42 runs (atted in that year. His on (ase per!entage *as .35, and his s)ugging per!entage *as .4?1 "or the season.2? ;n June 20# 1,,-# Ken Gri""ey Junior had another set(a!0 in his pro"essiona) (ase(a)) !areer. Junior in%ured himse)" *hi)e !he!0ing his s*ing at the p)ate. He (ro0e a (one in his right hand !a))ed the hamate. The surgery in+o)+ed remo+ing the hamate (one# (ut they *ou)d ha+e to mo+e ner+es in order to get to the (one. His hamate (one had (een !ompressed "rom its origina) si7e o" one in!h to appro8imate)y one .uarter o" an in!h. Junior su""ered e8treme ner+e damage in his right hand "rom this surgi!a) pro!edure. t !aused a !omp)ete )oss o" "ee)ing in his right pin0y "inger# and throughout his entire hand on random o!!asions. 6emar0a()y# he returned to the )ineup a"ter on)y missing t*enty games in 1,,-.2, His teammates *ere ama7ed at Junior:s a(i)ity to return so soon "rom this type o" in%ury. They *ere a)so impressed at ho* Junior per"ormed on!e he returned to the starting )ine>up. Junior p)ayed in 140 games and had <4< at (ats. He had a (atting a+erage o" .303 and an on (ase per!entage o" .3,2 that season. His s)ugging per!entage *as .-2? *ith 140 runs (atted in. Junior:s most impressi+e "eat *as hitting 40 homeruns a"ter returning to the )ine>up and on)y 104 stri0eouts. He had on)y , homeruns (e"ore he in%ured himse)" (y !he!0ing his s*ing at the p)ate# and a"ter the surgery he posted 40

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homeruns *hi)e su""ering "rom se+ere ner+e damage in his pin0y "inger and hand. This per"orman!e ga+e him 4, homeruns in a season *here he missed 22 regu)ar season games.30 Gri""ey Junior got into trou()e *ith (a)) !)u( ear)y in his !areer "or +io)ating team ru)es. ;ne o" the most nota()e o!!urren!es *as an in!ident that in+o)+ed a !ur"e* +io)ation. The team *ou)d ha+e mea)s ser+ed to them (e"ore (oarding the team (us to tra+e)# (ut Junior did not eat *ith the team on this parti!u)ar o!!asion. The mea) that *as pro+ided "or the team *as "ish# and Junior did not eat the mea) (e!ause he *as a))ergi! to "ish. 9hen the team arri+ed to the hote) he *ent out to get himse)" something to eat and missed the team !he!0>in time. The ne8t day he and the !oa!h had a heated !on"rontation o+er the ru)e +io)ation# and the !oa!h !a))ed Gri""ey Senior to in"orm him o" his son:s re!ent (eha+ior. Gri""ey Senior !a))ed Junior and in"ormed him that the $ariners *ou)d !a)) and te)) him e+erything that he does.31 ;ne o" the "irst opposing team p)ayers to spea0 to Junior *hen he made the Seatt)e $ariners ma%or )eague !)u( *as Kir(y /u!0ett. Kir(y /u!0ett stood "i+e "oot eight in!hes# *eighed 220 )(s.# and p)ayed out"ie)d "or the $innesota T*ins. Junior said that you ne+er heard Kir(y:s name e+er mentioned in anything negati+e surrounding the game. He thought that Kir(y *as a positi+e p)ayer and great "or the game o" (ase(a)). The "irst time that Junior and Kir(y met he to)d Junior# 29e)!ome to the (ig )eagues. Keep a smi)e on your "a!e# ha+e "un and p)ay hard. Aou are going to (e here a*hi)e.3 Kir(y /u!0ett *as Junior:s "a+orite p)ayer *hi)e he

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*as in the )eague# and Junior said that i" he had to pay to *at!h one p)ayer that Kir(y *ou)d (e the one that he *ou)d go and see.32 n 1,,0 history *as made in ma%or )eague (ase(a)) on!e again. ;n =ugust 2,# 1,,0# the Seatt)e $ariners signed Ken Gri""ey Senior to a one year !ontra!t to p)ay right "ie)d. This *ou)d mar0 the "irst time that a "ather and son p)ayed together on the same team in ma%or )eague history. The Gri""ey:s set another re!ord on Septem(er 14# 1,,0# *hen they (oth hit homeruns in the same game.33 Junior *as +oted to the =))>Star game "or the "irst time in 1,,0. This *as his se!ond season and he *as the se!ond youngest e+er to parti!ipate in a ma%or )eague (ase(a)) =))>Star game. He *as +oted as an =))>Star out"ie)d starter e+ery year "rom 1,,0> 1,,?.34 Junior *on eight Go)d G)o+es *hi)e p)aying in the ma%or )eagues.3< None o" the a!!o)ades that he a!.uired meant more to him than *inning the $ost @a)ua()e /)ayer o" the 1,,2 =))>Star game in San Diego# 4a)i"ornia. This *as a "eat that he and his "ather (oth shared.3n January# 1,,4# 4raig Gri""ey signed a minor )eague !ontra!t *ith the Seatt)e $ariners. 4raig p)ayed as a de"ensi+e (a!0 on the ;hio State 'u!0eyes "oot(a)) team# (ut he did not p)ay (ase(a)) *hi)e he attended !o))ege. He parti!ipated in an open audition "or the !)u( and impressed the s!outs. The (rothers p)ayed on the same diamond during spring training in

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=ri7ona "or the "irst time sin!e the 4in!innati youth )eagues in 1,?1.35 =)so in January# 1,,4# Gri""ey Junior and $e)issa had their "irst !hi)d Trey Kenneth Gri""ey. 9oody 9ood*ard# the genera) manager o" the $ariners# sent the Gri""ey:s a signed $ariners: !ontra!t dated 2012 as a %o0e. n ;!to(er# 1,,<# the Gri""ey:s *e)!omed an addition to the "ami)y (y the (irth o" their se!ond !hi)d Taryn Gri""ey.3? The 1,,4 season *as "u)) o" positi+e things and "uture promise "or the Gri""ey "ami)y. Junior no )onger desired to (e 0no*n as 2The Kid3 sin!e he had (e!ome a "ather. The sports *or)d *ou)d o()ige him at the start o" the season# and he *ou)d (e 0no*n "rom this point "or*ard as 2The Homerun Kid3 "or his per"orman!e on the "ie)d. Gri""ey Junior sat out on a histori!a) path during the 1,,4 season. He started out (y (rea0ing $i!0ey $ant)e:s 1,<- homerun re!ord o" 20 homeruns in $ay (y hitting 22. He "o))o*ed up this "eat (y (rea0ing 'a(e 6uth:s homerun re!ord through June (y running his tota) to 32 homeruns. Junior made the 1,,4 =))>Star team (y re!ei+ing the most +otes o" any p)ayer e+er o" -#05,#-??. t seemed as i" the sa!red re!ord o" -1 homeruns in a sing)e season (y 6oger $aris *ou)d "a)) in 1,,4. This "eat *ou)d remain inta!t (e!ause the season ended in a stri0e on =ugust 11# 1,,4. ;n)y 111 games *ere p)ayed in 1,,4 instead o" the regu)ar 1-2 game season# and Gri""ey *ou)d ha+e (een on pa!e to hit appro8imate)y <? homeruns. 'arry 'onds and =)(ert 'e))e *ere a)so ha+ing hot hitting strea0s in the 1,,4 season. 4ompetition (et*een these ath)etes *ou)d ha+e (een great "or the game e+en i" the sa!red re!ord o" 6oger $aris: -1

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homeruns in a sing)e season *ithstood the pursuit o" these )ong (a)) greats.3, Junior p)ayed in a)) 111 games in the 1,,4 season *ith a (atting a+erage o" .323 *ith 433 at (ats. He had 40 homeruns and ,0 runs (atted in *ith an on (ase per!entage o" .402# and he a)so posted a s)ugging per!entage a+erage o" .-54. Junior had on)y 53 stri0eouts during the 1,,4 shortened season.40 Junior !)aimed that (eing a popu)ar pro"essiona) ath)ete *as e8treme)y demanding at a)) times# and that it pro+ed to (e a great (urden at times )i+e a norma) )i"e. He !)aimed that it *as a 24>hours>a>day# se+en>days>a>*ee0 %o( (y him (eing so popu)ar *ith the pu()i! and media. He 0ne* that he *as under the !onstant +ie* o" the pu()i!. This "or!ed him to ha+e to pay !)ose attention to his a!tions (oth on and o"" the "ie)d. This trou()ed Junior great)y (e!ause he "e)t that he !ou)d ne+er re)a8 and %ust (e himse)". Ho*e+er# this )a!0 o" a pri+ate )i"esty)e a))o*ed Junior to push himse)" (y de+oting more time to ma0ing himse)" (etter on the "ie)d as an es!ape.41 Gri""ey Junior a)so !)aimed that on!e he (e!ame popu)ar it *as e8treme)y di""i!u)t to a!!ommodate the re.uests o" a)) his "ans. This *as one thing that (othered him great)y (e!ause he )o+ed a)) aspe!ts o" the game. 9hen Junior *as 1, years o)d# he agreed to do a poster "or a Seatt)e (ased !ompany. The !ompany as0ed Ken Gri""ey Junior i" he *ou)d autograph a "e* o" the posters at a )o!a) Seatt)e (usiness. He agreed to do this# (ut *hene+er he arri+ed at the esta()ishment hundreds o" "ans *ere present *aiting on his autograph. There *as no *ay that he
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*ou)d (e a()e to sign them a))# and the "ans (egan to (oo and !a)) him names *hen he had to )ea+e. Junior re!a))ed that one o" the 0ids got angry o+er this and used a ()ue sharpie mar0er to +oi!e his disp)easure. The angry 0id *rote do*n the side o" Junior:s ne* *hite $er!edes. This "or!ed Gri""ey into a she)) (e!ause he did not *ant the "ans to per!ei+e him as a (ad guy.42 Junior )o+ed the game o" (ase(a)) and *anted to p)ay the game 3-< days a year. He p)ayed through minor in%uries# si!0ness# and e+en through "atigue throughout his !areer. Gri""ey *as e8treme)y !ompetiti+e and )o+ed (ase(a)) so mu!h that he re"used to sit on the (en!h and !o))e!t money. He "e)t that he *as paid to per"orm and he o*ed that to the "ans# his team mates# and to the great =meri!an past time# 0no*n as (ase(a)).43 Ken Gri""ey Juniors: !areer spanned through a trou()ing time in (ase(a)). This trou()ing time *as 0no*n as 2The Dra o" Steroids3. $any great p)ayers during the 1,,0s parti!ipated in the use o" i))ega) su(stan!es in (ase(a))# or they *ere rumored to ha+e (een asso!iated *ith these su(stan!es. Some o" the p)ayers asso!iated *ith the i))ega) su(stan!es are Jose 4anse!o# 6oger 4)emens# $ar0 $!G*ire# Gary She""ie)d# 6a"ae) /a)meiro# Jason Giam(i# and 'arry 'onds. Jose 4anse!o said that "ans !ame out to the (a))par0s to see po*er hitters# and that (ase(a)) p)ayers *ere !onsidered entertainers. Jose 4anse!o !onsidered Ken Gri""ey Junior a po*er hitter# (ut he thought that Junior *as not a +ery ")ashy p)ayer. Jose 4anse!o ne+er mentioned Junior as a steroid user in his (oo0 tit)ed Juiced.44 Junior *as a)so ne+er mentioned as one o" the
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Griffey, ..$ Griffey, /+$ Jose )anse#o, Juiced (@e' Bor>, @B: Harper)ollins !ublisher, +,,/&, +1-$
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i))ega) su(stan!e users (y 'arry 'onds *hen a!!usations !ame up regarding this matter in (ase(a)). n the (oo0 tit)ed Game of Shadows# 'ay =rea &a(oratory 4o>;perati+e# a)so 0no*n as '=&4;# *as in+estigated "or distri(uting per"orman!e enhan!ing drugs to ath)etes. Junior *as ne+er mentioned in the (oo0 and he ne+er sho*ed up on any o" the !ompanies: re!ords.4<Gri""ey spent most o" his time during the o"" season *ith his "ami)y or p)aying go)".4Junior *as ne+er into )i"ting *eights to (u)0 up a mus!u)ar (ody "rame. He "e)t that his sty)e o" p)aying *ou)d (ene"it (etter i" he remained agi)e and ")e8i()e "or rea!tion time.45 Junior p)ays go)" as mu!h as he possi()y !an. Junior# his *i"e $e)issa# his "ather Ken Gri""ey Senior# his mother 'irdie# his (rother 4raig# and 4raig:s gir)"riend a)) too0 go)" )essons together in 1,?,. This a))o*ed them to spend .ua)ity time together and they *ou)d o"ten meet and p)ay together in the years a"ter 1,?,.4? Junior a)so ne+er (ought in to a)) the hype o" superstition that surrounded the game o" (ase(a)). Ken:s prote!tion o" his (ase(a)) e.uipment *as o"ten mis!onstrued *ith (eing superstitious# (ut he on)y a!ted this *ay (e!ause he had things sto)en ear)y in his !areer. He a)*ays "e)t that peop)e:s e.uipment *as sa!red# and that others shou)d not mess *ith someone e)se:s things. Junior *ou)d o"ten )o!0 a )ot o" his e.uipment up inside his o*n team !)u(house.4, 7ar> ;ainaru=:ada and Lan#e :illiams, Game of Shado s ( S6: Gotham Boo>s, +,,1&, 1=-.2$
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Griffey, 1,.=1,0$ Griffey, 1%$ Griffey, 1,.$ Griffey, 1.=1/$

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Ken Gri""ey Junior a)so ne+er paid mu!h attention to the statisti!s side o" the game o" (ase(a)). He did (e)ie+e that the num(ers game added e8!itement to the game o" (ase(a)) "or a)) the "ans# (ut Gri""ey ne+er rea))y )et num(ers di!tate ho* he approa!hed the game. Junior on)y "o!used on *hat *as ne!essary to he)p his team *in games# and he ne+er *anted to (e )a(e)ed a se)"ish p)ayer in the eyes o" the (ase(a)) *or)d.<0 ;n 1e(ruary 10# 2000# the !ity o" Seatt)e *as de+astated (y an announ!ement "rom the $ariners organi7ation. The pride o" Seatt)e# Ken Gri""ey Junior# had (een traded to the 4in!innati 6eds per the re.uest o" Junior. He re.uested this trade so that he !ou)d (e !)oser to home# and he *as gro*ing un!om"orta()e *ith the dire!tion the team *as heading under ne* management. Junior *as traded to 4in!innati "or Ja0e $eyer and three minor )eague p)ayers# $i0e 4ameron# =ntonio /ere7# and 'rett Tom0o. Junior *ou)d p)ay in 4in!innati "rom 2000 unti) 200?# (ut he *ou)d not mat!h any o" the num(ers he produ!ed *hi)e in Seatt)e.<1 Junior had three great seasons *hi)e a mem(er o" the 4in!innati 6eds (a)) !)u(. n 2000 he appeared in 14< games and had <20 at (ats. He had a (atting a+erage o" .251 *ith a s)ugging per!entage o" . <<-. His on (ase per!entage *as .3?5 in the 14< games. He a)so a!!umu)ated 40 homeruns and 11? runs (atted in.<2 His se!ond (est season in 4in!innati *as in 200<. Junior had <<< at (ats in 12? games. He had an on (ase per!entage o" .3-, and a s)ugging per!entage o" .<5-. His (atting a+erage "or the 200< season *as .301. He a)so had 3< homeruns *ith ,2 runs (atted in
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Griffey, 1.$ (S!@, Ken Griffey Jr$ (S!@, Ken Griffey Jr$
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on the year.<3 The )ast great season Junior had as a mem(er o" the 4in!innati 6eds *as in 2005. He parti!ipated in 144 games and had <2? appearan!es at the p)ate. He had a (atting a+erage o" . 255 *ith an on (ase per!entage o" .352. His s)ugging per!entage "or the 2005 season *as .4,-. He a)so had 30 homeruns and ,3 runs (atted in "or the 2005 season.<4 Ken Gri""ey Junior ended his nine year !areer *ith the 4in!innati 6eds in 200?. He appeared in ,4< games "or 4in!innati and had 3#3<3 at (ats. His !areer (atting a+erage "or the !)u( *as .250 and his on (ase per!entage *as .3-2. He posted a !areer s)ugging per!entage o" .<14 "or the 6eds. He a)so had 210 homeruns and -02 runs (atted in "or his !areer in 4in!innati.<< ;n Ju)y 31# 200?# Junior *as traded (y the 4in!innati 6eds to the 4hi!ago 9hite So8 "or Ni!0 $asset and Danny 6i!har. He *ou)d on)y (e a 9hite So8 "or a !oup)e o" months (e!ause they granted him 1ree =gen!y on No+em(er 3# 200?. During his (rie" stint in 4hi!ago# Junior appeared in 41 games and had 131 at (ats. He had a (atting a+erage o" .2-0 *ith an on (ase per!entage o" .345. He had a s)ugging per!entage o" .40< during the 41 games p)ayed. He a)so had 3 homeruns *ith 1? runs (atted in "or the 4hi!ago 9hite So8.<-;n 1e(ruary 1?# 200,# Junior !ame "u)) !ir!)e in (ase(a)) (y signing as a 1ree =gent *ith the Seatt)e $ariners.<5

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(S!@, Ken Griffey Jr$ (S!@, Ken Griffey Jr$ (S!@, Ken Griffey Jr$ (S!@, Ken Griffey Jr$ (S!@, Ken Griffey Jr$
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Junior:s home!oming *ou)d (e short )i+ed and on)y )ast "or a )itt)e o+er one year . ;n June 2# 2010# he retired une8pe!ted)y and +o)untari)y "rom the Seatt)e $ariners. His !areer had !ome "u)) !ir!)e (y retiring *ith the same organi7ation that he pro"essiona))y de(uted *ith in 1,?,. His retirement "o))o*ed a pu()ished report that stated that Gri""ey had (een as)eep in the dugout during a game and missed an opportunity to pin!h>hit. 'oth the team and Junior adamant)y denied the +a)idity o" these a!!usations# (ut Ken Gri""ey Junior !hose to a(rupt)y retire "rom (ase(a)) soon a"ter these a!!usations.<? Junior ended his p)aying !areer ran0ed si8th in ma%or )eague homeruns. =ppro8imate)y 415 o" Junior:s homeruns !ame *hi)e he *as a mem(er o" the Seatt)e $ariners organi7ation# 3 homeruns as a mem(er o" the 4hi!ago 9hite So8# and the remainder o" his homeruns !ame *hi)e he *as a mem(er o" the 4in!innati 6eds organi7ation.<, Ken Gri""ey Junior p)ayed "or 22 seasons in $a%or &eague 'ase(a)). His !areer statisti!s are as "o))o*s: -30 homeruns# 1#?3- 6uns 'atted n# a (atting a+erage o" .2?4# an on (ase per!entage o" .350# and a s)ugging per!entage o" .<3?.-0 Ken Gri""ey Junior had "our years during his !areer as a Seatt)e $ariner *here his p)ay *as outstanding "or the organi7ation. His "irst great year *as the 1,,- season *here he returned "rom surgery and hit 4, homeruns in a sing)e season. n 1,,5 he parti!ipated in 1<5 games and appeared at the p)ate -0? times. He hit <- homeruns and had 145 runs (atted in. He possessed an on (ase per!entage o" .3?2 and a s)ugging per!entage o" .-4-. His (atting a+erage *as .304 Larry Stone, Ken Griffey, Jr$ to be added to the 7arinersC Hall of ;ame, se# D$ Larry Stone, Ken Griffey, Jr$ to be added to the 7arinersC Hall of ;ame, se# D$ (S!@, Ken Griffey Jr$
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*ith 121 stri0eouts. n 1,,? he parti!ipated in 1-1 games and appeared at the p)ate -33 times. He had 14- runs (atted in and hit the <- homerun mar0 in (a!0 to (a!0 seasons. His (atting a+erage this year *as .2?4# and he posted 121 stri0eouts "or the se!ond year in a ro*. He a)so posted an on (ase per!entage o" .3-< and a s)ugging per!entage o" .-11. The "ina) (est season o" his !areer !ame in 1,,,. Junior had -0- at (ats *hi)e p)aying in 1-0 games. He hit 4? homeruns *ith 134 runs (atted in during the season. He a)so posted an on (ase per!entage o" . 3?4 and a s)ugging per!entage o" .<5-. His (atting a+erage "or the 1,,, season *as .2?< *ith 10? stri0eouts.-1 Junior p)ayed "or 13 years in ma%or )eague (ase(a)) as a mem(er o" the Seatt)e $ariners. 9hi)e a $ariner he p)ayed in 1#-?< games and had -#315 at (ats. His !areer (atting a+erage as a $ariner *as .2,2 and he had 1#0?1 stri0eouts. He a)so posted an on (ase per!entage o" .354 and a s)ugging per!entage o" .<<3 "or the Seatt)e (a)) !)u(. His !areer homeruns as a $ariner *as 415 and he had an impressi+e 1#21- runs (atted in.-2 Ken Gri""ey Junior ended his (ase(a)) !areer (y p)aying *ith three teams in ma%or )eague (ase(a)) the Seatt)e $ariners# 4in!innati 6eds# and 4hi!ago 9hite So8. His !om(ined !areer tota) num(ers are !onsidered Ha)) o" 1ame num(ers (y !oa!hes# p)ayers# sports*riters# and "ans. Junior p)ayed in 2#-51 !areer (ase(a)) games and had ,#?01 at (ats. He had a !areer (atting a+erage o" .2?4 and on)y 1#15, stri0eouts.

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(S!@, Ken Griffey Jr$ (S!@, Ken Griffey Jr$

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He had a !areer on (ase per!entage o" .350 and a s)ugging per!entage o" .<3?. He a)so ended his !areer *ith 1#?3- runs (atted in and -30 homeruns.-3 Ken Gri""ey Junior has ser+ed as a spe!ia) !onsu)tant "or (ase(a)) operations "or the Seatt)e $ariners sin!e 2011. The $ariners a)so announ!ed that Ken Gri""ey Junior *i)) (e indu!ted into the team:s Ha)) o" 1ame on =ugust 10# 2013. The team *i)) !ondu!t a !eremony (e"ore the game that night at Sa"e!o 1ie)d# a)so 0no*n as the house that Gri""ey (ui)t. Ken Gri""ey Junior *i)) (e!ome e)igi()e "or 4oopersto*n in 201- and he shou)d (e a "irst (a))ot shoe in "or the Ha)) o" 1ame.-4 9hen Junior (e!ame a "ather# his )i"e !hanged# and a *ho)e ne* *or)d !ame to )i"e (e"ore his +ery eyes. Junior ha+ing !hi)dren o" his o*n made him (e!ome in!reasing)y a*are o" other !hi)dren in the *or)d. Ken Gri""ey Junior spent a tremendous amount o" time *ith !harita()e organi7ations. He ne+er turned do*n a re.uest to grant *ishes to !hi)dren *ith serious i))nesses. n 1,,4 Junior re!ei+ed the 6e!ognition =*ard "rom the $a0e>=>9ish "oundation "or his de+otion to the !harita()e organi7ation. Ken Gri""ey Junior a)so re!ei+ed the =. 'art)ett Giamatti =*ard# *hi!h is named a"ter one o" (ase(a)):s )egendary administrati+e o""i!ers 'art)ett Giamatti. 'art)ett *as the "ormer president o" Aa)e Bni+ersity# and he *as a)so the "ormer president o" the Nationa) &eague in $a%or &eague 'ase(a)).-< This prestigious a*ard is gi+en annua))y (y the 'ase(a)) =ssistan!e
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(S!@, Ken Griffey Jr$ Larry Stone, Ken Griffey, Jr$ to be added to the 7arinersC Hall of ;ame, se#$ D !or"

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)harles Seibert, 3Baseballs 8enaissan#e 7an: Bart Giamatti,4 Ne #imes September ., 1%22, (ast )oast Late (dition, 6$-0$
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Team "or re!ognition o" an indi+idua) *ho *or0ed *ith senior !iti7ens. Ken Gri""ey Junior re!ei+ed this a*ard "or his re)ent)ess *or0 and dedi!ation to he)ping "ormer Negro &eague p)ayers.-- Junior too0 great pride in he)ping "ormer Negro &eague p)ayers (e!ause o" ho* they he)ped (rea0 the !o)or (arrier in $a%or &eague 'ase(a)). Ja!0ie 6o(inson *as a "ormer Negro &eague p)ayer# and he )ettered in (ase(a)) *hi)e attending B4&=. 6o(inson *as the "irst ="ri!an =meri!an p)ayer to p)ay in $a%or &eague 'ase(a)). 6o(inson p)ayed "or the Kansas 4ity $onar!hs in the Negro &eagues. n 1,45 Ja!0ie 6o(inson *as signed (y the 'roo0)yn Dodgers o*ner 6i!0y 'ran!h and the game o" (ase(a)) *as "ore+er !hanged.-5 Junior *anted to he)p the "ormer Negro &eague p)ayers to repay them "or their !ourage and determination *hi!h a))o*ed him to p)ay the game today. =)so# Junior had e8perien!ed some o" the same ad+ersity ear)y in his o*n !areer as 6o(inson did *hen (rea0ing the !o)or (arrier a mere <0 years ear)ier. Junior and his "ami)y present)y reside in ;r)ando# 1)orida. They )i+e in a home that Junior he)ped design and had (ui)t. t is a uni.ue)y designed home (e!ause it is (ui)t in a @> shape. Junior *anted it (ui)t this *ay so peop)e !ou)d not see into the (a!0 yard# and this *ou)d a))o* his "ami)y to ha+e some pri+a!y *hi)e doing a!ti+ities together outdoors. The home has t*o *ings that !ome o"" a !enter entran!e. The *ings are (ui)t at a)most 4<>degree ang)es o"" o" the !enter stru!ture.-?

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Stone, /1$ )harles 6i>en, 3Ja#>ie 8obinson 8emembered,4 $a"land Post, 6pril 10, 1%%1: Griffey, 11$
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Ken Gri""ey Junior *as de"inite)y a hero to the game o" (ase(a)). He p)ayed his !areer through a trou()ing time in the game. The 1,,0s are 0no*n as 2The Steroids Dra3# and Gri""ey *as ne+er asso!iated *ith any o" the a!!usations during this trou()ing time in the sport. $any other homerun hitters# pit!hers# and in%ured (ase(a)) ath)etes *ere "ound gui)ty o" using steroids# or they *ere rumored to ha+e (een using them. Gri""ey spent !ount)ess hours parti!ipating in !harita()e e+ents "or the $a0e>=>9ish "oundation# and +o)unteered to he)p organi7ations that rea!hed out to aid senior !iti7ens. He a)so spent !ount)ess hours during his !areer to try and a!!ommodate as many o" his "an (ase as possi()e# and he "e)t great remorse *hen he *as una()e to meet the autograph re.uests o" any o" his "ans. He ne+er got in+o)+ed in any o"" the "ie)d !ontro+ersies. Gri""ey *as a de+oted hus(and and "ather. 9hene+er he *as as0ed he a)*ays mentioned that "ami)y *as his "irst priority and that (ase(a)) *as se!ond. His indu!tion into the Seatt)e $ariners: Ha)) o" 1ame is a great honor and it re")e!ts ho* mu!h he meant to the !ity and the organi7ation. He *i)) (e e)igi()e "or 4oopersto*n in 201- and he shou)d (e a "irst (a))ot shoe in.

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