This is when having journalism credentials go all wrong! Overrated, yet still great, Ken Griffey Jr. left a mark - HardballTalk - Baseball - NBC Sports
Griffey Jr. was the best pure baseball player i ever saw play the game. It's a damn shame that he suffered those injuries, because a guy like him deserves to be the home run king, not Bonds, not Gay Rod if he ever gets there.
Seemingly a class act too. No roid allegations, no public embarrassments, no "tude" issues, goes out with dignity not asking for the spotlight, etc. Says a lot about his character IMHO.
Ken Griffey, Jr. was a childhood idol of mine. One of the best players ever (if not THE best). Class act. Great guy. This makes me realize that I'm getting old.
He's definitely in the discussion of one of the great centerfielders. I'd put the Say-hey Kid (how did he get that nickname?), Mickey Mantle, Ty Cobb and Joe DiMaggio (his two brothers also played centerfield the MLB)in the discussion as well.
no kidding. From your link: 1990-1999 Bonds - .302 ba / 361 hr / 1076 rbi Junior - .302 ba / 382 hr / 1091 rbi Griffey also won a gold glove every year in the 90's. EVERY FREAKING YEAR! I'll take Junior over Bonds without hesitation.
My grandfather got to see Mays, Mantle, and DiMaggio play in person on multiple occasions. He also got to see guys like Ted Williams, Stan Musial, and Hank. He always said Joe DiMaggio was the best baseball player he'd ever seen. Willie was close, but DiMaggio stood alone. When watching Junior in the mid-90's, he said Willie and Joe were about to have company in that discussion.
