A Timeout From The Cubs: The Legend of Junior

Let us take a “timeout” from the Chicago Cubs after a terrible weekend.

It’s been almost a month since the Mariners announced Ken Griffey JR’s retirement. This was a sad, but memorable day in baseball history. Junior was one of the most complete outfielders in baseball history. Some might even say the best all around outfielder of all time. A five tool player, like Junior, is hard to come by. Despite all the “accusations” and “problems” of his last stint in the majors, Juniors accomplishments are amazing. Unlike many players in his time, he managed to do all this without the use of performance enhancing drugs.

With five years on the top ten list for hits, four time league leader in home runs with nine years in the top ten, a seven time Silver Slugger, eight years in top ten for RBIs, 12 years top ten for intentional base on balls, 12 years top ten in outfield assists, nine years top ten in extra base hits, four years in top ten of batting average, ten Gold Gloves, 13 All-star appearances, an All-star Game MVP, a "Sporting News Player of The Year" award, and an AL MVP award with five years in the top five (statistics from baseball-reference.com), we find Junior's massive footprint in the "modern age" of baseball.

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Junior has been compared to the best of the best, Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, and Reggie Jackson. Statisticians show that without injury, Junior would have been flirting with the 700 (home run) Club. This, most likely, first ballot hall of famer will live on in baseball history forever. Upon retirement, most reporters and MLB experts will analyze who the “next” Junior will be, but let us all take a look back over the years and admire the one and only Ken Griffey JR.

By: Jeff Creswell
MLBCenter.com Staff Writer

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