June 2, 2010: Ken Griffey Jr retires from Major League Baseball
Wow. That is hard to type. The icon of Seattle baseball, has officially called it a career. He was an amazing talent; good genes had something to do with that. It comes as a shock. Some people may say it's more overdue than a shock. Considering the year he was having, maybe they are right. No matter. He is "The Kid", "Junior" or just "Griffey".
I moved to Spokane in 1989 from Arizona. I grew up as an A's fan so when I moved up here, I could only watch the Mariners games. And I had the privilege of watching Griffey play in his prime. He is what drew me to become the Mariners fan I am today.
Thinking about it, there is only 1 memory that sticks out in my mind. It is the picture of him after sliding into home plate in 1995 scoring the winning run--now known as "The Slide". The huge smile on his face as his teammates dogpile on him is priceless. The smile or the backward hat are fixtures in my mind but his smile transcended the sport.
And yet, there are more memories for him than baseball. He is a husband to Melissa and father to Trey, Taryn & Tevin. He's spent many, many, many years away from them doing what he loves to do. Yet now, he will be home. He will be home for the games, the barbecues, the outings, the vacations and anything else other families do during the summer. And for as much as he delighted fans young and old through the last 20+ years, the delight will be magnified (hopefully) for his family.
So to Melissa, Trey, Taryn & Tevin Griffey, I say thank you. Thank you for sharing your husband/father with baseball/sports fans everywhere. The sacrifices were many I'm sure. But know that he is much loved and appreciated by not just Spokane or Seattle, but the entire Mariner fan community. Thank you for letting us enjoy him.
RSPS,
Sunny
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