Congrats to Ken Griffey, Jr and his 600th career home run. He becomes only the sixth Major Leaguer to do it ... and the first in decades that didn't have a whiff of steroids surrounding the achievement.
I'm one of those people that never want to see Griffey out of a Reds' uniform. Sure, the past eight seasons haven't been very good for the Red Legs, but it isn't all his fault (yes, he's the highest paid player and has had injury issues).
I just don't want to see the Reds pimp Griffey like the Giants did Bonds: after Bonds collected the all-time HR record, the team all but wanted to push him out the door. I don't want to see the same thing happen to Junior, even if his contract is expiring.
One of the great things about the Reds is their ability to embrace their history. The Big Red Machine is still beloved whenever they get together. Tom Browning is a hero. Joe Nuxhall has been a legend. This is the one city (besides Las Vegas) that Pete Rose can go and people still love him.
It hasn't been like that for a while, at least not since the end of Barry Larkin's career. The Reds fans haven't embraced anyone in the manner they used to. It is a shame, because while he haven't had a front seat for Ken Griffey, Jr's prime ... we have been privileged to have one of the greatest players in baseball history call this town home.
Why would we push him away?
3 comments:
Sportz Assassin! How have ya been? Glad to see you are still rolling strong with your incredible blog. Make sure to swing by and check the site I have been away and helping to improve at FYISPORTSFANS.com. It is a very educated and well informed crowd of sports fans and the forum is a blast. You would be an amazing addition to the posting team. GeorgeCoztanza is a frequent contributor over there. Keep bloggin' strong and hopefully I see you at the site!
Zak
P.S. I'm still 'Calling The Shots' ahahaha
The wuss could have 900 right now- and be looking down upon even the mighty Sandaharu Oh- if he only had had the courage to Get Big in the 1990s, when men were men.
Way to go Ken Griffey Junior. Too bad injuries hampered a great career.
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