Baseball Player: Ken Griffey Jr.

(Image of Griffey bating for Seattle Mariners courtesy of whatproswear.com)

Background

George Kenneth Griffey Jr. was born on November 21, 1969 in Donora, Pennsylvania. He grew up in Cincinnati watching his father Ken Griffey Sr. play outfield for the Cincinnati Reds. A future in baseball became clear for Griffey once he started playing for Moeller High School. After high school, Griffey was drafted first overall by the Seattle Mariners in 1987. He played a couple seasons in their minor leagues where he had to really prove himself. In 1989 he started his first Major League Baseball game. With his dad still playing, they became the first father/son pair to play in the MLB simultaneously. 

The next season Griffey's father joined the Mariners, and on September 14, 1990 they both had a home run in the same game against the Angels. Soon after Griffey Sr. retired, and Griffey Jr.'s success took off. Landing in the record book for a number of achievements. One of his most impressive being his 7 seasons with 40 plus home runs, and his two seasons with 50 plus home runs. Splitting the majority of his career with the Seattle Mariners and the Cincinnati Reds, Griffey retired in 2010. His final at bat was a pinch hit, game winning single in the bottom of the 9th against the Mariners. In 2016 Ken Griffey Jr. was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. 

(Image of Griffey Sr. and Jr. playing for Seattle courtesy of  nydailynews.com)

Racism in Baseball

Fortunately Griffey did not face to much racism throughout his baseball career. After his career there was a small sign of racism when he was elected into the Hall of Fame. After he was inducted, it was released that it was not unanimous. This struck the public as controversial. How could anyone not vote for a 13 time All-Star? Older white board members in the Hall of Fame were accused of being racist thus not voting for Griffey. However no investigation ever started because Griffey received the highest percentage of votes to be inducted by anyone. 

Achievments

• 11 time Gold Glove Award winner
• 2 time Player of the Month
• 7 time Silver Slugger Award winner 
• All Star MVP
• League MVP
• Players Choice Outstanding Player of the Year 
• Players Choice Player of the Decade Award