Is this the end for Ken Griffey Jr.?

[sportscardtheory]

I have always been a big Jr. fan, but he is basically non-existent this season. Do you think this is just a bad season that he can turn around, or is this the end of an amazing career? I hope he can recover from this and last season to have a few more productive years... but it doesn't seem too promising.

 

[beefycheddar]

As long as he puts asses in seats, he helps that team exactly as they hoped.

 

[All The Hype]

Keep in mind that this is what is supposed to happen to human beings who play baseball. Their bodies begin to deteriorate and near the age of 40, it becomes difficult for them to produce at anywhere near the level they once could.

With all the steroid crap lately and Barry Bonds hitting progressively more homeruns as he got older, sometimes we forget that a natural human body does indeed deteriorate around this age.

It's too bad that he isn't the same player he was anymore, but I think this goes to say that in an era of doubt, he really did play the game the right way.

 

[Card Magnet]

As long as he puts asses in seats, he helps that team exactly as they hoped.

Very true

 

[i43770]

He isn't having the type of year that people are use to seeing, but he isn't having that bad of a year for the Mariners. 2nd in HR, 4th in OBP, 5th in Slugging, 3rd in OPS and 1st in BB. And I'm not sure where to look it up, but I'm sure they are selling more tickets than they were last year.

 

[sportscardtheory]

Keep in mind that this is what is supposed to happen to human beings who play baseball. Their bodies begin to deteriorate and near the age of 40, it becomes difficult for them to produce at anywhere near the level they once could.

With all the steroid crap lately and Barry Bonds hitting progressively more homeruns as he got older, sometimes we forget that a natural human body does indeed deteriorate around this age.

It's too bad that he isn't the same player he was anymore, but I think this goes to say that in an era of doubt, he really did play the game the right way.

Good post. If he hadn't had all those leg injuries, we would be talking about how close he is to the HR record right now... sigh.

 

[All The Hype]

Keep in mind that this is what is supposed to happen to human beings who play baseball. Their bodies begin to deteriorate and near the age of 40, it becomes difficult for them to produce at anywhere near the level they once could.

With all the steroid crap lately and Barry Bonds hitting progressively more homeruns as he got older, sometimes we forget that a natural human body does indeed deteriorate around this age.

It's too bad that he isn't the same player he was anymore, but I think this goes to say that in an era of doubt, he really did play the game the right way.

Good post. If he hadn't had all those leg injuries, we would be talking about how close he is to the HR record right now... sigh.

Yeah it's really too bad. It will be a sad day for baseball when he retires, because it will be the official end to an unfortunate failure at what could have been.

 

[sportscardtheory]

[quote="ALL_THE_HYPE":1x5zdiqc]Keep in mind that this is what is supposed to happen to human beings who play baseball. Their bodies begin to deteriorate and near the age of 40, it becomes difficult for them to produce at anywhere near the level they once could.

With all the steroid crap lately and Barry Bonds hitting progressively more homeruns as he got older, sometimes we forget that a natural human body does indeed deteriorate around this age.

It's too bad that he isn't the same player he was anymore, but I think this goes to say that in an era of doubt, he really did play the game the right way.

Good post. If he hadn't had all those leg injuries, we would be talking about how close he is to the HR record right now... sigh.

Yeah it's really too bad. It will be a sad day for baseball when he retires, because it will be the official end to an unfortunate failure at what could have been.[/quote:1x5zdiqc]

It sucks for me and people my age, because he is the first true Hall of Fame legend I got to watch from a rookie to completion. It makes me feel old... lol.

 

[Pinbreaker]

[quote="ALL_THE_HYPE":2ebvs47x]Keep in mind that this is what is supposed to happen to human beings who play baseball. Their bodies begin to deteriorate and near the age of 40, it becomes difficult for them to produce at anywhere near the level they once could.

With all the steroid crap lately and Barry Bonds hitting progressively more homeruns as he got older, sometimes we forget that a natural human body does indeed deteriorate around this age.

It's too bad that he isn't the same player he was anymore, but I think this goes to say that in an era of doubt, he really did play the game the right way.

Good post. If he hadn't had all those leg injuries, we would be talking about how close he is to the HR record right now... sigh.

Yeah it's really too bad. It will be a sad day for baseball when he retires, because it will be the official end to an unfortunate failure at what could have been.[/quote:2ebvs47x]

How can you say unfortunate failure with a 1st ballot Hall of Fame career and a few other highlights..

Most Valuable Player Award winner (1997)
7x Silver Slugger Award winner (1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999)
10x Gold Glove Award winner (1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999)
13x All-Star selection (1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2007)

What do you call a success?

 

[pujolsthomefan33]

Two points.......

1) I dont care how old/bad Ken Griffey, jr. becomes as an every day player--it will never ever be a bad move to have him in your clubhouse/dugout/lineup---simple fact that even a wheelchaired Griffey can still teach younger players.


2) As a player it is VERY hard to walk away.....Favre, Jordan, Howe, etc.....from any sport when there is even 10% left in the tank. That is probably the hardest thing for a player to do, especially for the first few years after they retire and have to sit and watch or sit and comentate....


So, I guess, for me, I dont mind or care to see Griffey, Jr. stay around as long as he wants to....


TK

 

[pujolsthomefan33]

[quote="ALL_THE_HYPE":2swhjn33]Keep in mind that this is what is supposed to happen to human beings who play baseball. Their bodies begin to deteriorate and near the age of 40, it becomes difficult for them to produce at anywhere near the level they once could.

With all the steroid crap lately and Barry Bonds hitting progressively more homeruns as he got older, sometimes we forget that a natural human body does indeed deteriorate around this age.

It's too bad that he isn't the same player he was anymore, but I think this goes to say that in an era of doubt, he really did play the game the right way.

Good post. If he hadn't had all those leg injuries, we would be talking about how close he is to the HR record right now... sigh.

Yeah it's really too bad. It will be a sad day for baseball when he retires, because it will be the official end to an unfortunate failure at what could have been.[/quote:2swhjn33]


Being hands down one of the ten (hell probably 5) best players to ever step onto a baseball diamond is a failure??????????

 

[sportscardtheory]

[quote="ALL_THE_HYPE":1kz4f2oz]Keep in mind that this is what is supposed to happen to human beings who play baseball. Their bodies begin to deteriorate and near the age of 40, it becomes difficult for them to produce at anywhere near the level they once could.

With all the steroid crap lately and Barry Bonds hitting progressively more homeruns as he got older, sometimes we forget that a natural human body does indeed deteriorate around this age.

It's too bad that he isn't the same player he was anymore, but I think this goes to say that in an era of doubt, he really did play the game the right way.

Good post. If he hadn't had all those leg injuries, we would be talking about how close he is to the HR record right now... sigh.

Yeah it's really too bad. It will be a sad day for baseball when he retires, because it will be the official end to an unfortunate failure at what could have been.

How can you say unfortunate failure with a 1st ballot Hall of Fame career and a few other highlights..

Most Valuable Player Award winner (1997)
7x Silver Slugger Award winner (1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999)
10x Gold Glove Award winner (1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999)
13x All-Star selection (1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2007)

What do you call a success?[/quote:1kz4f2oz]

I'm fairly certain he meant what MORE Griffey Jr. could have accomplished had he not had all the injuries. No one is taking away from what he did accomplish.

 

[All The Hype]

[quote="ALL_THE_HYPE":336ulcc8]Keep in mind that this is what is supposed to happen to human beings who play baseball. Their bodies begin to deteriorate and near the age of 40, it becomes difficult for them to produce at anywhere near the level they once could.

With all the steroid crap lately and Barry Bonds hitting progressively more homeruns as he got older, sometimes we forget that a natural human body does indeed deteriorate around this age.

It's too bad that he isn't the same player he was anymore, but I think this goes to say that in an era of doubt, he really did play the game the right way.

Good post. If he hadn't had all those leg injuries, we would be talking about how close he is to the HR record right now... sigh.

Yeah it's really too bad. It will be a sad day for baseball when he retires, because it will be the official end to an unfortunate failure at what could have been.

How can you say unfortunate failure with a 1st ballot Hall of Fame career and a few other highlights..

Most Valuable Player Award winner (1997)
7x Silver Slugger Award winner (1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999)
10x Gold Glove Award winner (1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999)
13x All-Star selection (1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2007)

What do you call a success?[/quote:336ulcc8]

Don't get me wrong, he is hands-down one of the greatest players of all time.

But that comment is a direct reference to what he could have done...namely challenging the all-time homerun record. He was the one that was supposed to break it, and then he ran into some bad luck and missed a few seasons. If it weren't for that, he would probably be right around the record right now.

 

[Pinbreaker]

[quote="ALL_THE_HYPE"spohdnr]Keep in mind that this is what is supposed to happen to human beings who play baseball. Their bodies begin to deteriorate and near the age of 40, it becomes difficult for them to produce at anywhere near the level they once could.

With all the steroid crap lately and Barry Bonds hitting progressively more homeruns as he got older, sometimes we forget that a natural human body does indeed deteriorate around this age.

It's too bad that he isn't the same player he was anymore, but I think this goes to say that in an era of doubt, he really did play the game the right way.

Good post. If he hadn't had all those leg injuries, we would be talking about how close he is to the HR record right now... sigh.

Yeah it's really too bad. It will be a sad day for baseball when he retires, because it will be the official end to an unfortunate failure at what could have been.

How can you say unfortunate failure with a 1st ballot Hall of Fame career and a few other highlights..

Most Valuable Player Award winner (1997)
7x Silver Slugger Award winner (1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999)
10x Gold Glove Award winner (1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999)
13x All-Star selection (1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2007)

What do you call a success?

I'm fairly certain he meant what MORE Griffey Jr. could have accomplished had he not had all the injuries. No one is taking away from what he did accomplish.[/quotespohdnr]

I have been to more games this year than I have in the last few years and it was due to Griffey coming back.. Once in awhile, he has that magical look at the plate and reminds me of when I saw him in the Kingdome and he would hit those effortless homeruns..

I would think that this year could be his last, but for me, it was a pleasure just watching him day in and day out.. Even when he isn't playing, you can look into the dugout and see him smiling as we only Junior to do.. ear from ear...

 

[pujolsthomefan33]

[quote="ALL_THE_HYPE":ktliyrtz]

[quote="ALL_THE_HYPE":ktliyrtz]Keep in mind that this is what is supposed to happen to human beings who play baseball. Their bodies begin to deteriorate and near the age of 40, it becomes difficult for them to produce at anywhere near the level they once could.

With all the steroid crap lately and Barry Bonds hitting progressively more homeruns as he got older, sometimes we forget that a natural human body does indeed deteriorate around this age.

It's too bad that he isn't the same player he was anymore, but I think this goes to say that in an era of doubt, he really did play the game the right way.

Good post. If he hadn't had all those leg injuries, we would be talking about how close he is to the HR record right now... sigh.

Yeah it's really too bad. It will be a sad day for baseball when he retires, because it will be the official end to an unfortunate failure at what could have been.

How can you say unfortunate failure with a 1st ballot Hall of Fame career and a few other highlights..

Most Valuable Player Award winner (1997)
7x Silver Slugger Award winner (1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999)
10x Gold Glove Award winner (1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999)
13x All-Star selection (1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2007)

What do you call a success?[/quote:ktliyrtz]

Don't get me wrong, he is hands-down one of the greatest players of all time.

But that comment is a direct reference to what he could have done...namely challenging the all-time homerun record. He was the one that was supposed to break it, and then he ran into some bad luck and missed a few seasons. If it weren't for that, he would probably be right around the record right now.[/quote:ktliyrtz]


My take on that----he never had a shot----as I think most of believe, Griffey never did steroids or PEDs.....and his significant injury times kind of prove that.....

If Griffey had used, just think of how quickly he would have recovered and we would have definitely had a new home run champ.....


I still assume 99% of the people that play professional (College, Minors, and Majors) in the last 40+ years have probably taken some sort of drug/cream, etc. and athletes like Griffey who fall short in some things he may have accomplished because he didnt, should be that much more admired....


TK

 

[Pinbreaker]

Here's a thought I just had..

Wait until they have the oldtimers games and we get to see Junior, Edgar, and Buhner again all on the same field...

 

[sportscardtheory]

I have been to more games this year than I have in the last few years and it was due to Griffey coming back.. Once in awhile, he has that magical look at the plate and reminds me of when I saw him in the Kingdome and he would hit those effortless homeruns..

I would think that this year could be his last, but for me, it was a pleasure just watching him day in and day out.. Even when he isn't playing, you can look into the dugout and see him smiling as we only Junior to do.. ear from ear...

Best smile in the history of the game.

 

[pujolsthomefan33]

I have been to more games this year than I have in the last few years and it was due to Griffey coming back.. Once in awhile, he has that magical look at the plate and reminds me of when I saw him in the Kingdome and he would hit those effortless homeruns..

I would think that this year could be his last, but for me, it was a pleasure just watching him day in and day out.. Even when he isn't playing, you can look into the dugout and see him smiling as we only Junior to do.. ear from ear...

Best smile in the history of the game.

Yeah, remember back in the early 90's all the videos/ESPN shots/Photos/Baseball Cards---he always was smiling, hat backwards, loving every minute of being out there....

He played hard, he dove into walls, he climbed fences, he went full speed all the time.....and that swing........


TK

 

[leatherman]

Griffey turned 30 with 398 HRs in his career. He then signed a 10-year contract with the Reds which basically assured them that he would break Hank Aaron's 755 HRs in a Reds uniform. He only needed to average 36 HRs a year to break the record, and that wouldn't be a problem at all for the kid who had just hit 209 HRs in the previous 4 seasons. Instead, he hit only 218 HRs over the next 9+ seasons (this would have been his last with the Reds had he fulfilled his contract with them).

I remember seeing a Fleer card (I think) in 2000 that basically said the same thing that I said above. Everyone EXPECTED Junior to be the all-time HR king. It just never happened.


David

 

[Phish]

Here's a thought I just had..

Wait until they have the oldtimers games and we get to see Junior, Edgar, and Buhner again all on the same field...

3 of my favorite players growing up. Once he's done playing, I will be really upset. This was the player that I watched growing up as a kid and wanted to be just like him. As a Phillies fan, I had no player to look up in the late 90's and Griffey was that guy. Once I got my first lot of cards (1994 Topps), I was so happy to get a Griffey (and making fun of Buhners picture of him doing something that looks like the chicken dance). God, those were the days!