The Mariners and Ken Griffey, Jr. have agreed on a one-year deal for the upcoming season. This will be Junior’s 22nd year in the majors. He broke onto the Mariners major league club when he was only a teenager and now he is just shy of 40 years of age.
One can only wonder what might have happened if Griffey had not moved onto Cincinnati and began to accumulate all of those skill-robbing injuries. Even so, Griffey ranks fifth all-time in home runs (630).
This past season Junior did hit 19 homers but hit just .214 with 57 RBI. He is no longer suited for the outfield and is primarily a DH. However, in Seattle, Griffey should be able to leave on his own terms.
The top 3 on the all-time home run list vanished from Griffeys sight years ago but he is only 30 dingers away from tieing Willie Mays at number 4. It would seem that the only chance Griffey has of doing so is two more relatively injury free ball.
Alex Rodriquez and Manny Ramirez are the only active players within earshot of Griffey. Arod will pass everyone barring injury. You never exactly how long or how hard Manny is going to want to play for–he is a bit more of a mystery.
I think this could be his last tour as a player
can’t imagine him being back, unless he finally stays healthy 162 games and breaks out like it’s 1999