Ken Griffey Jr is a baseball player from Cincinnati who has played for the Cincinnati Reds, the Chicago White Sox and the Seattle Mariners. The 39-year-old Griffey is a center fielder, and known for his home-run hitting power. He ranks fifth in home runs, and is tied for first place on the list of those who’ve made home runs in the most consecutive games. In late 2008, Griffey became a free agent. His father was baseball player Ken Griffey Sr. who played for Cincinnati.

Ken Griffey Jr started his career with the Seattle Mariners and played there for 11 distinguished and successful seasons. Not known for just home runs and his effortless swing, he was also lauded as a great defensive player, able to dive and slide when necessary and make difficult catches, often leaping high to catch a ball before it could become a home run.

The Seattle stadium that was built to replace the Kingdome, known as Safeco field, is often referred to as The House that Griffey Built. He was an all-star, won numerous awards and made numerous lists of all-time great baseball players while he played for the Mariners. He was even named to the All-Century team in 1999. That same year Ken Griffey Jr. asked to be traded to the Cincinnati Reds, the team his father played for, so he could live closer to his relatives.

He began playing for the Reds during the 2000 season, but with less impressive numbers than his previous years with Seattle. Frequent injuries caused problems for Ken Griffey Jr and slowed him down on the field. In 2004, he became the 20th player ever to make 500 career home runs. In a fitting moment, he made that home run on Father’s Day, with Ken Griffey Sr. watching from the stands in a hit that also tied him with his father’s career hits record of 2, 143. But he finished the year on the injured list.

Despite injuries that benched him throughout the years, Ken Griffey Jr. hit his 600th home run, making him one of only 6 players in baseball history to do so, on June 9, 2008. In July, he was traded to the Chicago White Sox, and by September, had added to his home runs to his 611, making him 5th on the all time list. In October, the Sox declined his expensive contract option, and he became a free agent.

His memorabilia is popular among baseball fans, especially those who are still watching and waiting to see what team he’ll play for next. Petitions were signed by fans who wanted him back to his original baseball home with the Seattle Mariners. Autographed photos of him as well as jerseys and caps are popular items you can find places like eBay. Just be sure to compare the signature with one you know to be authentic to avoid buying a forgery. A photo, signature, or ball hit by Ken Griffey Jr could be the crowning jewel in a baseball collection

Originally posted 2008-12-27 10:23:52. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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