You know today at 3 PM Ken Griffey, Jr., will become the first unanimous Hall of Famer in Major League Baseball history. But you know, Jr didn't just dazzle fans with his amazing talent, his ability to catch damn near every baseball hit his way, or his beautiful swing that swatted 630 home runs, but he made me the Mariners fan and a lover of sports and a sports writer/podcaster all in one day.
Back in 1994 my family and I were just moving back to Washington after living in California for about 2 years, so my grandma decided to bring me into the living room one day and made me watch the Seattle Mariners game that was being broadcast. It changed my life. For that day I saw The Kid smack two of his 630 home runs and after watching him make a couple of dazzling plays in center field I knew then that I wanted to be like Jr.
Now back in the early 90s you would probably hear kids say that they wanted to "be like Michael Jordan", hell no! For me I "wanted to be like Ken Griffey, Jr.!". It would be a whole year till I got to see my first professional baseball game live inside, to what at the time I considered my 2nd home, the Kingdome. That night I witnessed Jr hit a towering 420 ft home run that helped the Mariners win.
During 1995 I got to enjoy not just one but several other magical games, including Game's 4 and 5 of the American League Division Series. I have my dad to thank for that, I mean come on what dad would pull his 5 year old out of kindergarten to play hooky and go watch the Mariners kick ass? THE BEST DAD THAT'S WHAT!!!
1995 came to a heart-breaking end when the Mariners lost in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series to the Cleveland Indians (I hate them forever). Imagine a 5 year old being held by his grandmother and crying more than Joey Cora did! That though wasn't the end of my heart break, the Mariners have been breaking my heart for years in the postseason, but that's not my point. My point I'm making here and also talking about is how Ken Griffey, Jr., became my idol, hero, and the reason for me being the struggling sports writer/podcaster right now and a die hard Mariners fan and sports lover.
I will say this, I may have been a Mariners fan but every time Jr stepped up to the plate I always got more and more excited. During 1997 I think I witnessed at least 20 of his historic and Mariners franchise record 56 home runs and that season was his only (really should have been his 3rd or 4th) MVP.
Then came 1999, the end of the Kingdome. Like most historic games in the Kingdome from 1995-99 I was there for the curtain call, the final game! Where Jr did not fail in giving me and 50,000+ one more final Jr Kingdome home run. And boy did that home run feel good to watch in person! Then came Safeco Field. By far the most beautiful ballpark in baseball where Jr's power seem to fade but I still got to see his first ever Safeco Field home run and 3 others I didn't think life was any better. Then came that faithful day in 2000 where I wake up and find out that Jr, my idol, has been traded to the Cincinnati Reds. As a 10 year old I started balling my little eyes out and I was this close from never cheering for the Mariners again and giving up on baseball as well.
Thankfully my dad and my mom suggested that I write a letter to Jr, what can I say? I was one desperate 10 year old trying to keep my favorite player in Seattle by simply writing a letter. 3 weeks after sending the letter off I got a response from Jr, not really but again I was 10, stupid and very easy to fool, but again getting a letter with the thought of Jr writing to me telling me not to give up on Mariners baseball and to keep supporting the team through anything made me not give up on baseball, Jr, and the Mariners. They say Griffey saved Mariners baseball for Seattle well he saved Mariners baseball for me.
So, guess what every time I saw the Reds on TV I was watching every time Jr stepped to the plate, and believe me I only watched it when Jr was at the plate and that's it. So you can imagine my surprise come 2001 when my dad tells me that me and my family are going to Atlanta to watch the Braves play, you guessed it the Reds! I got to enjoy a new ballpark and the joy of Braves baseball while watching my favorite player of all time in a different uniform.
And come on lets face it most Mariners fans somewhat like the Braves due to Braves baseball on TBS in the 90s right? RIGHT! And then came the year that Jr made his return to Seattle and who was there for those 3 games? ME! And in the final game Jr decided to really give the fans something to cheer for by hitting 2 home runs and his 2nd pushed him past Mark McGwire!
Year after year went by and I watch Jr hit his 400th, 500th, and 600th home run wearing a different uniform, till 2009 came and the news came in that Jr was coming back to Seattle! That season I attended at least 20 games, and Jr homered in 10 of those. Its funny, but in perhaps the 70 games that I have gone to where Ken Griffey, Jr., played he's hit a home run in at least 60 of those games! I will also say that I have the privilege of seeing Jr's final hit, at bat, and swing in both a Mariners uniform and for the final time in his 22 major league career.
22 years of greatest and I witnessed 18 of those great years. Come this August I will be going to Cooperstown, New York for what I am calling the final Ken Griffey, Jr., curtain call for me and watch him be inducted to the baseball Hall of Fame and come today he will be the first player in history to have 100% of the votes. Now think about this, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, and Hank Aaron never received 90% of the votes.....Jr is doing something no player in history has done! Funny even when Jr's sitting at home he's still setting records and amazing us all.
I want to take this time to thank the Seattle Mariners, who drafted the greatest baseball player of all time. Its thanks to this organization that brought so much joy to my life and to thousands of fans as well, and the Mariners and Jr not only made me a fan of baseball but made me the sports fan that I am today. I would also like to thank Jr for making millions of kids into fans of baseball and also bringing the joy of America's past time into their lives as well as mine.
Finally I want to thank Ken Griffey Jr., who made this post responsible, the man who dazzled us with Spider-Man like catches, mammoth home runs, and who brought a smile to our faces just by smiling himself. I want to thank Ken Griffey, Jr., for making me the man and sports writer/podcaster I am today. If it wasn't for you this never would have happened and I want to say thank you. Thank you Jr, I hope one day I can sit down and have a conversation with you and talk about your illustrious career.
Thank you Ken Griffey, Jr.
Showing posts with label Ken Griffey Jr. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ken Griffey Jr. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Friday, July 12, 2013
Flashback Friday: What could've been
In 2007 the Seattle Mariners finished the season at 88-74 which was there first winning season since 2003 when they went 93-69. The team finished six games out of first place in the American League West standings and six games out of the Wild Card. During that season Ichiro became the second Mariners player in team history to win the All Star Game MVP as he went 3-3 and hit the first inside-the-park-homerun in All Star Game history, three days after his MVP performance the Mariners signed him to a five year contract to a $90 million deal, making him the highest paid player for the Mariners for the second time. The 2007 season saw plenty of milestones, retirements, and no hitters. Craig Biggio, Jeff Conine, Mike Lieberthal, and Shawn Green said farewell to baseball and Mark Buehrle, Justin Verlander, and Clay Buchholz threw no hitters.
I wont get into the other milestones that happened in 2007, this blog im writing talks about the Mariners and how one manager could have lead this team to its first playoff birth since 2001. The Mariners began the opening month of April at 10-10 and the following month they kept pace at staying at or above .500 by going 16-14. the first two months of Mariners baseball in 07 were very interesting to say the least. In April the Mariners went into a 6 game losing streak that put the team's record at 5-9 but the M's picked things up and won the next 4 games to put the team back at .500. In March the Mariners went up against the Yankees and in the first game it was nothing but a slugfest but the Mariners bats were stronger in that game as the team would win 15-11 thanks to an 8 run fifth inning that put the Mariners ahead 14-8. They would lose the next two games to the Bronx Bombers but were able to come out of New York with a four game split. Four days later they played the Yankees again this time at Safeco, the Mariners would take the series from them 2 games to 3.
The Mariners entered the month of June with a 26-24, the month of June would see the Mariners have their best month of the year and would also see the return of Ken Griffey, Jr., to Safeco. After the Mariners first 11 games in June they had a 9-2 record, they then lost 6 games in a row after their hot start, they just couldn't figure out the Chicago Cubs or Houston Astros. They then came back to Seattle and boy ever did the Mariners catch fire, winning the next 14 games out of 19. When the Cincinnati Reds came into Safeco it was an emotional time for both teams and the fans. Jr had returned to Safeco and each game that was played there was not a seat empty, after losing 16-1 in the opening game the Mariners won the next two games and in the final game of the series Jr banged out two homeruns that sent the fans into hysteria. I attended all three games of that series and it was exciting to watch the Kid bang out batting practice homers and watch him go 5-13 in the series.
The Mariners won a season high eight games in a row after the 16-1 blowout the Reds handed to them. The Mariners were officially in the playoff picture, but unfortunately the Mariners playoff run would officially come to an end after July 1st. Mike Hargrove was the manager for that year and not only did he bring experience to the manger position he brought great chemistry as well. Hargrove had coached the Cleveland Indians from 1991-1999 and in that time he was their manager they won five straight American League Central titles and won the AL Pennant twice but lost in both World Series that they appeared in. Hargrove then managed the Baltimore Orioles from 2000-03 and then finally came to Seattle in 04.
After three straight losing seasons Hargrove finally had seemed to have gotten the team he wanted with the Mariners in 07. On July 1st the Mariners faced the Toronto Blue Jays and were looking to extend their winning streak to eight games, thanks to Jose Guillen's walk off single in the bottom of the ninth they were able to extend the winning streak and give Mike Hargrove his final win as a manager. After the game Hargrove called a press conference and said that he had lost his passion for managing and that he would be stepping down as the Mariners manager.
Bench coach John McLaren took over for Hargrove and helped the Mariners finish the season off at 88-74. The Mariners fell both six games short of the AL West and Wild Card, the big reason for that was that from August 25th through September 11th the team went 2-15 which drastically hurt their playoff hopes. The Yankees won the Wild Card that year but would lose to Cleveland Indians in the ALDS in four games. The Mariners could've made the playoffs, they could've won the AL West, and they could've won the Wild Card but they didn't. If Hargrove would not have left in the middle of a playoff run think of what could have happened. For some reason their was no chemistry with the team and manager John McLaren, that is what hurt the Mariners the most.
Without Hargrove the team was basically lost, without good chemistry in the clubhouse the team sank and lost their edge and also lost a shot at their first playoff series in six years. The following year McLaren was fired after the team started out their first 72 games 25-47, since then he has managed three game with the Washington Nationals after his replacement from the Mariners Jim Riggleman resigned as manager. After the third game Davey Johnson replaced McLaren.
So what do you think could have happened if Hargrove stayed to manage the rest of the year? We will never know, all we know is that the M's finished above .500 and since then have had only one winning season. Well, as a die hard Mariners fan I await the return of a manager that will lead this team from mediocrity and back into playoff contenders.
I wont get into the other milestones that happened in 2007, this blog im writing talks about the Mariners and how one manager could have lead this team to its first playoff birth since 2001. The Mariners began the opening month of April at 10-10 and the following month they kept pace at staying at or above .500 by going 16-14. the first two months of Mariners baseball in 07 were very interesting to say the least. In April the Mariners went into a 6 game losing streak that put the team's record at 5-9 but the M's picked things up and won the next 4 games to put the team back at .500. In March the Mariners went up against the Yankees and in the first game it was nothing but a slugfest but the Mariners bats were stronger in that game as the team would win 15-11 thanks to an 8 run fifth inning that put the Mariners ahead 14-8. They would lose the next two games to the Bronx Bombers but were able to come out of New York with a four game split. Four days later they played the Yankees again this time at Safeco, the Mariners would take the series from them 2 games to 3.
The Mariners entered the month of June with a 26-24, the month of June would see the Mariners have their best month of the year and would also see the return of Ken Griffey, Jr., to Safeco. After the Mariners first 11 games in June they had a 9-2 record, they then lost 6 games in a row after their hot start, they just couldn't figure out the Chicago Cubs or Houston Astros. They then came back to Seattle and boy ever did the Mariners catch fire, winning the next 14 games out of 19. When the Cincinnati Reds came into Safeco it was an emotional time for both teams and the fans. Jr had returned to Safeco and each game that was played there was not a seat empty, after losing 16-1 in the opening game the Mariners won the next two games and in the final game of the series Jr banged out two homeruns that sent the fans into hysteria. I attended all three games of that series and it was exciting to watch the Kid bang out batting practice homers and watch him go 5-13 in the series.
The Mariners won a season high eight games in a row after the 16-1 blowout the Reds handed to them. The Mariners were officially in the playoff picture, but unfortunately the Mariners playoff run would officially come to an end after July 1st. Mike Hargrove was the manager for that year and not only did he bring experience to the manger position he brought great chemistry as well. Hargrove had coached the Cleveland Indians from 1991-1999 and in that time he was their manager they won five straight American League Central titles and won the AL Pennant twice but lost in both World Series that they appeared in. Hargrove then managed the Baltimore Orioles from 2000-03 and then finally came to Seattle in 04.
After three straight losing seasons Hargrove finally had seemed to have gotten the team he wanted with the Mariners in 07. On July 1st the Mariners faced the Toronto Blue Jays and were looking to extend their winning streak to eight games, thanks to Jose Guillen's walk off single in the bottom of the ninth they were able to extend the winning streak and give Mike Hargrove his final win as a manager. After the game Hargrove called a press conference and said that he had lost his passion for managing and that he would be stepping down as the Mariners manager.
Bench coach John McLaren took over for Hargrove and helped the Mariners finish the season off at 88-74. The Mariners fell both six games short of the AL West and Wild Card, the big reason for that was that from August 25th through September 11th the team went 2-15 which drastically hurt their playoff hopes. The Yankees won the Wild Card that year but would lose to Cleveland Indians in the ALDS in four games. The Mariners could've made the playoffs, they could've won the AL West, and they could've won the Wild Card but they didn't. If Hargrove would not have left in the middle of a playoff run think of what could have happened. For some reason their was no chemistry with the team and manager John McLaren, that is what hurt the Mariners the most.
Without Hargrove the team was basically lost, without good chemistry in the clubhouse the team sank and lost their edge and also lost a shot at their first playoff series in six years. The following year McLaren was fired after the team started out their first 72 games 25-47, since then he has managed three game with the Washington Nationals after his replacement from the Mariners Jim Riggleman resigned as manager. After the third game Davey Johnson replaced McLaren.
So what do you think could have happened if Hargrove stayed to manage the rest of the year? We will never know, all we know is that the M's finished above .500 and since then have had only one winning season. Well, as a die hard Mariners fan I await the return of a manager that will lead this team from mediocrity and back into playoff contenders.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
A boy and his dog
In the Christmas of 1998 my grandparents got me one of the greatest gifts an 8 year old could get, his first dog. They got me a 4 month old golden retriever puppy and they presented him to me in an awesome fashion, they made me close my eyes and yell out his name "Chewy" and as soon as I yelled it out he ran into the room and jumped into my lap and we were instantly best buds from the first moment we met.
Now yes I know I was eight but as an eight year old a dog was something I had been waiting for, for at least the last 2 birthdays and Christmas's so you can understand how me and my first dog were best friends from the first moment he licked my face.
That first night he spent the night in my bed after I begged my parents to death to have him sleep with me the first night. During the first few months it was tough, only because I wasn't used to cleaning up dog poo once a week but me and my parents were able to house train him. After a few months 1998 turned into 1999 and that year marked a few things in Seattle sports, it marked the end of the Kingdome and the beginning of Safeco Field, the final year of Ken Griffey, Jr. in Seattle, and the first year of the Mike Holmgrem era for the Seahawks. So, not only did I get a furry best bud but some interesting sporting events happened so it was a fun first year with my awesome dog.
Now during the 1999 year before I went to any game Chewy would always come up to me not wanting me to leave and I would always say to him "Don't worry I'll be back later buddy" and we would always jump up with his paws on my shoulders and just lick my face trying to get me to stay home but it never worked though.
The first time he did that was the 22 run massacre the Mariners gave the Detroit Tigers. It became a tradition that before every game I went to he would always give me the "lick of death" and that year the Mariners went 11-1 to the games I went to. Chewy's lick of death was always good luck even when it came to the Seahawks game. I went to only one Seahawks game that year and he gave me the ol' lick of death and the Seahawks won that game, and in fact it was the final regular season game that was ever played in the Kingdome by the Seahawks as they beat the Kansas City Cheifs 23-14. So Chewy was basically one of the best and luckiest dogs any nine year old could have.
The next year in 2000 marked another successful "lick of luck" as I called it, after the successful '99 year. The year began with Chewy giving me the lick of luck during the game where the Seattle Sonics secured a spot in the 2000 NBA playoffs so the year got off to a great start. The lick of luck would work twice in the playoffs but the next game I forgot to get a big slobbery kiss from Chewy and the Sonics would lose Game 5 to the Utah Jazz 96-93. So since basketball season was done we moved to baseball season and so the lick of luck came useful in the Toronto Blue Jays series as the Mariners swept the Blue Jays 11-9, 17-6, and 19-7. During that season I went to 16 games and the lick of luck came in handy as me and Chewy had a record of 13-3.
The Mariners would squeeze their way into the playoffs and the bad part about being nine years old is you have elementary school and thanks to me being the biggest littlest Mariners fan in school I asked the principal if I could have a cable TV in my classroom that way I could keep an eye on the ball game. Thanks to being a huge sports nut he allowed it and thanks to three licks of luck by Chewy the Mariners swept the Chicago White Sox but the lick of luck didn't help that much in the Championship Series as the Mariners lost in 6 games.
The Seahawks didn't have a great 2000 season going 6-10 but the lick of luck came in handy as Chewy gave me an extra slobbery kiss when the Seahawks ended their 5 game losing streak against the San Diego Chargers. The lucky slobbery kiss also helped when the Seahawks beat the always hated Oakland Raiders 27-24. The Sonics would have a decent year and a few wins came on the lucky slobbery love of Chewy's kisses as they finished the season at 44-38. Then came the Mariners season, well the slobbery love from Chewy was luckier then ever! The Mariners would win an MLB record 116 games but would lose in the Championship Series to the Yankees again but this time in only 5 games. That year going to Mariners games me and Chewy were a perfect 10-0!
During 2001 the Nisqually earthquake would happen and the morning of the earthquake Chewy was acting very unusual as he asked to go outside ran around the yard then asked to come back in, then 5 minutes later asked again to go out and did the same thing again. So, during that 30 seconds of fear as an 11 year old kid I was only wondering if my mom and dad were ok and if Chewy was ok. The school let us go home early and as soon as I get into the house there Chewy is just sitting there with this look on his furry face that says "I tried to tell yeah but you didn't listen".
Anyways lets move onto 2002 shall I? The Sonics 2001-02 season would see the playoffs and the lick of luck didn't seem to work as the Sonics fell to the San Antonio Spurs in 5 games. The Mariners would see success but missed the playoffs and finished the season at 93-69 and the Seahawks would have another tough season.
At the end of the Seahawks season Chewy began to show signs that something was wrong with him. After two months of making trips to the vet office the doctors announced that Chewy had had a rare bone and muscle cancer. The doctors gave Chewy 3 months to live, and so in January I made the hardest choice of my life and told my parents that I wanted Chewy to be put down out of his misery.
The day came and as I sat there with Chewy knowing that he would be gone in a few minutes I took the time to remember every great memory I had with him and all the great times we had and the luck that his kisses brought to a lot of games I watched and went to. As the vets were getting ready to inject Chewy, he looked at me and gave me one last slobbery kiss.
I didn't wipe the slobber away all I did was hug him and didn't let go. The vets inject the serum and Chewy slowly slipped away and I never stopped hugging him and as Chewy was gone my parents left me alone with him and I just lay there with him for about 5 minutes and as I got up to leave the room I said only three words to him "I love you".
That day I lost a best friend and a great dog but I still remember everything we did and all the times we spent sleeping together, playing together and watching sports together. But even though he's gone I always have kept every memory of my first dog and first furry best friend.
RIP Chewy.
Now yes I know I was eight but as an eight year old a dog was something I had been waiting for, for at least the last 2 birthdays and Christmas's so you can understand how me and my first dog were best friends from the first moment he licked my face.
That first night he spent the night in my bed after I begged my parents to death to have him sleep with me the first night. During the first few months it was tough, only because I wasn't used to cleaning up dog poo once a week but me and my parents were able to house train him. After a few months 1998 turned into 1999 and that year marked a few things in Seattle sports, it marked the end of the Kingdome and the beginning of Safeco Field, the final year of Ken Griffey, Jr. in Seattle, and the first year of the Mike Holmgrem era for the Seahawks. So, not only did I get a furry best bud but some interesting sporting events happened so it was a fun first year with my awesome dog.
Now during the 1999 year before I went to any game Chewy would always come up to me not wanting me to leave and I would always say to him "Don't worry I'll be back later buddy" and we would always jump up with his paws on my shoulders and just lick my face trying to get me to stay home but it never worked though.
The first time he did that was the 22 run massacre the Mariners gave the Detroit Tigers. It became a tradition that before every game I went to he would always give me the "lick of death" and that year the Mariners went 11-1 to the games I went to. Chewy's lick of death was always good luck even when it came to the Seahawks game. I went to only one Seahawks game that year and he gave me the ol' lick of death and the Seahawks won that game, and in fact it was the final regular season game that was ever played in the Kingdome by the Seahawks as they beat the Kansas City Cheifs 23-14. So Chewy was basically one of the best and luckiest dogs any nine year old could have.
The next year in 2000 marked another successful "lick of luck" as I called it, after the successful '99 year. The year began with Chewy giving me the lick of luck during the game where the Seattle Sonics secured a spot in the 2000 NBA playoffs so the year got off to a great start. The lick of luck would work twice in the playoffs but the next game I forgot to get a big slobbery kiss from Chewy and the Sonics would lose Game 5 to the Utah Jazz 96-93. So since basketball season was done we moved to baseball season and so the lick of luck came useful in the Toronto Blue Jays series as the Mariners swept the Blue Jays 11-9, 17-6, and 19-7. During that season I went to 16 games and the lick of luck came in handy as me and Chewy had a record of 13-3.
The Mariners would squeeze their way into the playoffs and the bad part about being nine years old is you have elementary school and thanks to me being the biggest littlest Mariners fan in school I asked the principal if I could have a cable TV in my classroom that way I could keep an eye on the ball game. Thanks to being a huge sports nut he allowed it and thanks to three licks of luck by Chewy the Mariners swept the Chicago White Sox but the lick of luck didn't help that much in the Championship Series as the Mariners lost in 6 games.
The Seahawks didn't have a great 2000 season going 6-10 but the lick of luck came in handy as Chewy gave me an extra slobbery kiss when the Seahawks ended their 5 game losing streak against the San Diego Chargers. The lucky slobbery kiss also helped when the Seahawks beat the always hated Oakland Raiders 27-24. The Sonics would have a decent year and a few wins came on the lucky slobbery love of Chewy's kisses as they finished the season at 44-38. Then came the Mariners season, well the slobbery love from Chewy was luckier then ever! The Mariners would win an MLB record 116 games but would lose in the Championship Series to the Yankees again but this time in only 5 games. That year going to Mariners games me and Chewy were a perfect 10-0!
During 2001 the Nisqually earthquake would happen and the morning of the earthquake Chewy was acting very unusual as he asked to go outside ran around the yard then asked to come back in, then 5 minutes later asked again to go out and did the same thing again. So, during that 30 seconds of fear as an 11 year old kid I was only wondering if my mom and dad were ok and if Chewy was ok. The school let us go home early and as soon as I get into the house there Chewy is just sitting there with this look on his furry face that says "I tried to tell yeah but you didn't listen".
Anyways lets move onto 2002 shall I? The Sonics 2001-02 season would see the playoffs and the lick of luck didn't seem to work as the Sonics fell to the San Antonio Spurs in 5 games. The Mariners would see success but missed the playoffs and finished the season at 93-69 and the Seahawks would have another tough season.
At the end of the Seahawks season Chewy began to show signs that something was wrong with him. After two months of making trips to the vet office the doctors announced that Chewy had had a rare bone and muscle cancer. The doctors gave Chewy 3 months to live, and so in January I made the hardest choice of my life and told my parents that I wanted Chewy to be put down out of his misery.
The day came and as I sat there with Chewy knowing that he would be gone in a few minutes I took the time to remember every great memory I had with him and all the great times we had and the luck that his kisses brought to a lot of games I watched and went to. As the vets were getting ready to inject Chewy, he looked at me and gave me one last slobbery kiss.
I didn't wipe the slobber away all I did was hug him and didn't let go. The vets inject the serum and Chewy slowly slipped away and I never stopped hugging him and as Chewy was gone my parents left me alone with him and I just lay there with him for about 5 minutes and as I got up to leave the room I said only three words to him "I love you".
That day I lost a best friend and a great dog but I still remember everything we did and all the times we spent sleeping together, playing together and watching sports together. But even though he's gone I always have kept every memory of my first dog and first furry best friend.
RIP Chewy.
Friday, June 14, 2013
Seattle and its champion teams
Seattle has yet to see an Super Bowl, World Series, or an MLS Cup brought home by the Mariners, Seahawks, and Sounders. Seattle has only seen the 1979 Supersonics and the 2004 and 2010 Storm bring home a major championship (though I wouldn't consider the WNBA a real championship). The Mariners have been the team that has shown the least hope that another title will be brought to the city of Seattle. During the 90s the Mariners saw two American League West titles. In '95 the Mariners had that amazing Refuse To Lose run to the AL West title. The Mariners beat the then California Angels in a one game playoff to take the title and then after being down 0-2 in the American League Division Series the Mariners came home for games 3,4, and 5 and swept the Yankees moving on to face the winningest ball club that year for the American League Pennant. The Mariners would lose to the Cleveland Indians in 6 games but the team was proud of what they accomplished that year. Two years later in 1997 the team would win a then team record 90 games, lead the American League in runs and break the season record for homeruns by one team, Ken Griffey, Jr., would win his first and only MVP. The Mariners would go into the '97 ALDS to play the Baltimore Orioles and would be embarrassed in 4 games.
The Mariners would begin the 2000s on a nice touch, the team would win their first American League Wild Card title and would sweep the Chicago White Sox in 3 games but would fall to the New York Yankees in 6 games. The next year would see the Mariners win a MLB record 116 games and would have to go the full 5 games against the Cleveland Indians but would fall to the Yankees for the second year in a row and would be humiliated as the team to win 116 games and not make it to the World Series. The next two year would see the Mariners win 93 games in each seasons but failed to win the Wild Card and the AL West. Since then the Mariners have not made the playoffs. Now in my opinion the Mariners are within 2-3 years of making the playoffs so be patient M's fans.
Now, lets talk about the Seahawks. The Seahawks came close in 2005 to bringing the Lombardi Trophy to Seattle but was swiped up by the Steelers. The Seahawks have made the playoffs 12 times and have come very close several times to either going or winning the Super Bowl. 1983 the Seahawks made it to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history and made a run that had everyone saying "Super Bowl champs". The Seahawks beat the Denver Broncos in the Wild Card game, they then beat the Miami Dolphins in the Divisional round but then they would fall short of the Super Bowl as they would lose to the eventual Super Bowl champs Los Angeles Raiders. Last year the Seahawks made a great one in the playoffs, they would win their first road playoff game since '83 but would lose to the Atlanta Falcons. Now, I know this is our year to win the Super Bowl, they are the favorite to win it all and I see plenty of Vince Lombardi Trophies in the Seahawks future.
So now we move on to the Sounders. Since the Sounders have been in existence they have made the playoffs every year but they have brought 3 US Open Cups home to Seattle. The Sounders won their first playoff series last year against Real Salt Lake but fell to the LA Galaxy. So far this year they are not showing their good stuff. They lost in the US Open Cup in the third round and if the season ended they would play the Galaxy in the MLS Cup Knockout round. If the Sounders want to see an MLS Cup brought to this city they have to get better on defense and offense.
Well, there's my brief summary of the teams in Seattle and its history in the playoffs.
The Mariners would begin the 2000s on a nice touch, the team would win their first American League Wild Card title and would sweep the Chicago White Sox in 3 games but would fall to the New York Yankees in 6 games. The next year would see the Mariners win a MLB record 116 games and would have to go the full 5 games against the Cleveland Indians but would fall to the Yankees for the second year in a row and would be humiliated as the team to win 116 games and not make it to the World Series. The next two year would see the Mariners win 93 games in each seasons but failed to win the Wild Card and the AL West. Since then the Mariners have not made the playoffs. Now in my opinion the Mariners are within 2-3 years of making the playoffs so be patient M's fans.
Now, lets talk about the Seahawks. The Seahawks came close in 2005 to bringing the Lombardi Trophy to Seattle but was swiped up by the Steelers. The Seahawks have made the playoffs 12 times and have come very close several times to either going or winning the Super Bowl. 1983 the Seahawks made it to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history and made a run that had everyone saying "Super Bowl champs". The Seahawks beat the Denver Broncos in the Wild Card game, they then beat the Miami Dolphins in the Divisional round but then they would fall short of the Super Bowl as they would lose to the eventual Super Bowl champs Los Angeles Raiders. Last year the Seahawks made a great one in the playoffs, they would win their first road playoff game since '83 but would lose to the Atlanta Falcons. Now, I know this is our year to win the Super Bowl, they are the favorite to win it all and I see plenty of Vince Lombardi Trophies in the Seahawks future.
So now we move on to the Sounders. Since the Sounders have been in existence they have made the playoffs every year but they have brought 3 US Open Cups home to Seattle. The Sounders won their first playoff series last year against Real Salt Lake but fell to the LA Galaxy. So far this year they are not showing their good stuff. They lost in the US Open Cup in the third round and if the season ended they would play the Galaxy in the MLS Cup Knockout round. If the Sounders want to see an MLS Cup brought to this city they have to get better on defense and offense.
Well, there's my brief summary of the teams in Seattle and its history in the playoffs.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
What Zunino brings
The Seattle Mariners made the big announcement today that Mike Zunino, the top ranked catcher prospect in baseball and the overall pick in the 2011 draft, has gotten the call up to the Show.
Now, its not something wanted to do in bringing up Zunino this early in his career but with the way Kelly Shoppach and the other catchers have been producing both offensively and defensively owner Jack Zduriencik had no choice. Kelly Shoppach has been one of the worse of the worse for the Mariners at the catcher position as he has dropped balls trying to throw out runners attempting to steal and when he manages to hang on and throw the ball he cant make accurate throws. Zunino has hit .238 in Tacoma while hitting 11 homers and driving in 43 runs. The Mariners are hoping that Zunino will bring that power and the ability to rocket accurate throws to second along with be that rookie that can lead the team to a few extra wins as well. If you ask me if Zunino possesses the leadership and maturity to not only play the position but be a leader at such a young age I would say yes.
Zunino is what I call the Ken Griffey, Jr., of the Mariners current prospects. Right now not only myself but the Mariners, their fans, and the sports writers are hoping that he will not turn out like Dustin Ackley where in his first year he tears the cover off the ball and the next year cant hit the broad side of a barn. Now im not expecting Zunino to be like Yasiel Puig and hit 2 homeruns each game and bat .500 after just one week, but I am expecting him to come into his own and work game to game, now if he does what Puig is doing in Los Angeles then great but I do know this Im excited that our top prospect is up in the big leagues and will be ready tonight to show everyone what he is made of and why the Mariners took him 3rd in the draft.
Now, its not something wanted to do in bringing up Zunino this early in his career but with the way Kelly Shoppach and the other catchers have been producing both offensively and defensively owner Jack Zduriencik had no choice. Kelly Shoppach has been one of the worse of the worse for the Mariners at the catcher position as he has dropped balls trying to throw out runners attempting to steal and when he manages to hang on and throw the ball he cant make accurate throws. Zunino has hit .238 in Tacoma while hitting 11 homers and driving in 43 runs. The Mariners are hoping that Zunino will bring that power and the ability to rocket accurate throws to second along with be that rookie that can lead the team to a few extra wins as well. If you ask me if Zunino possesses the leadership and maturity to not only play the position but be a leader at such a young age I would say yes.
Zunino is what I call the Ken Griffey, Jr., of the Mariners current prospects. Right now not only myself but the Mariners, their fans, and the sports writers are hoping that he will not turn out like Dustin Ackley where in his first year he tears the cover off the ball and the next year cant hit the broad side of a barn. Now im not expecting Zunino to be like Yasiel Puig and hit 2 homeruns each game and bat .500 after just one week, but I am expecting him to come into his own and work game to game, now if he does what Puig is doing in Los Angeles then great but I do know this Im excited that our top prospect is up in the big leagues and will be ready tonight to show everyone what he is made of and why the Mariners took him 3rd in the draft.
Friday, May 31, 2013
Flashback Friday: The Kid
In 1994 I had just moved back to Washington after spending 2 years in California. It was spring time when me and my mom and dad moved back so baseball was about to start. Now, when I moved back I didn't know anyone and I didn't have any interests in anything so I was one of those shy kids. At the time of the move back to Washington spring training had started for the Mariners and at the time I was not into sports of any kind, but one day my grandma called me into the living room and she sat me down and turned onto the first Mariners game of the 1994 season.
Now for the first three games I didn't show any interest in the team but the fourth game of the year changed my life forever. In the top of the fourth inning a young slugger by the name of Ken Griffey, Jr., stepped in and drove a deep drive for his first homerun of the season, when I saw that homerun hit with the sweetest swing in baseball I immediately fell in love not with just the Seattle Mariners but with Ken Griffey, Jr. Now, Griffey made me love the game of baseball even more in the top of the seventh inning by hitting another sweet swing homerun of the year. Unfortunately the Mariners lost the game 8-6 but I was instantly hooked on the team.
The 1994 baseball season was cut short due to the players strike but after that year I would become not just a fan of the Mariners but a fan of the Seattle Seahawks and the Seattle Supersonics. I had the privilege of watching my first Seahawks game with my grandmother as well and got to see them dominate the Washington Redskins 28-7! The Supersonics did the same thing to me in their first game as I got to watch both Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp beat the Utah Jazz 110-101. My love for sports grew so much in one year and every since 1994 I have not stopped loving the game of baseball, football, or basketball.
1995 would see my love for the Mariners reach a new height, I watch the team go to their first playoff series in their franchise history but I also attended the team's home opener. That first game would be amazing for me being a 5 year old, when Griffey came up to the plate in the bottom of the fifth inning I cheered my loudest and told my dad that Griffey would hit his first homerun of the year and Jr., didn't disappoint as he hit a 3-run homerun to put the M's up 3-0 on the Detroit Tigers and Randy Johnson also dealt an incredible game throwing 6 innings of shutout baseball and striking out 8 batters.
The scare of my young life came in that game where Griffey raced to make one of the greatest catches of his career but on that play Griffey broke his left wrist and would be sidelined for 72 games. Once Griffey made his return the Mariners pulled together to make a late season surge to take their first American League West title. The 1995 Division Series was just as nerve racking as the season was but as a 5 year old you would think that I wouldn't pay much attention but your dead wrong, my eyes were glued to the screen and everything my grandmother did I did. Going into Game 3 we were worried that we would be swepted by the New York Yankees, but that would not be the case. The Mariners made sure that they would continue their new slogan "Refuse To Lose" and came back from a 2-0 deficit in the series and won the series to move on to their first American League Championship Series against the winningest team in baseball that year the Cleveland Indians. The Mariners would lose in 6 games.
The 95 season would see the Seahawks finish 8-8 but would see the Sonics go 66-14 and would lose in the NBA Finals in 6 games to the 72-10 Chicago Bulls.
Now the blog is named The Kid for a reason, because Ken Griffey, Jr., was the reason I got into sports. From 96-99 season I attended 100 games in the Kingdome and I also attended the final Kingdome game where Griffey would hit one more homerun in the beloved stadium. Griffey was not just a player to me, he was a God and he was then and still my favorite player and hero. When I played on a baseball team I made sure I was the first one to snatch up the number 24 and I continued to wear that number with every baseball team I played for. When Jr., was traded away to Cincinnati I was devastated and I wrote him a letter telling him he was the reason I watched Mariners baseball, and he actually wrote me back saying in the letter "I appreciate your letter and your interest in baseball. Because of the thousands of letters I receive each week, it is not possible to respond to each one personally. I am enclosing you a special baseball card, and hope that you enjoy following the Mariners and Major League Baseball. Best wishes from your hero Ken Griffey Jr." After I received that letter I told myself to not to continue loving the Mariners but to also following him as his career continued in Cincinnati.
The 2000 Mariners season saw Mike Cameron make plays that made me just love the Mariners still and the team made a great American League Wild Card champion run in the playoffs by sweeping the Chicago White Sox but falling to the Yankees in the ALCS. Griffey had a terrific 2000 batting .271 slugging out 40 homeruns and batting in 118 RBIs. Over the next 4 years would see Jr.'s superstardom decline as the injuries crept up on the aging superstar. 2004 would see Griffey hit his 500th homerun of his career on Father's Day. 2005 would see Griffey renew his career by hitting 35 homeruns and driving in 85 RBIs and winning the National League Comeback Player of the Year. 2006 would see Griffey play well again and he would play for Team USA in the first World Baseball Classic, as he batted .524 and hit 3 homeruns but the USA failed to make the semifinals, Griffey would make the All WBC Team and would finish tied for the most RBIs in the tournament with 10.
The regular season Griffey would hit 27 homeruns and drive in 72 RBIs. After both the 2007 and 2008 season the Mariners announced the signing of Griffey and as I knew this day would come again I celebrated all night. I attended 18 games that year at Safeco Field and I was able to watch Griffey hit 8 homeruns in those 18 games, he would finish the year off 19 homeruns. The next year Griffey signed again with the team but it would turn out to be the worst season of his career as he would not hit any homeruns and batted a mediocre .184, in the middle of the season Griffey just left the state of Washington and announce that his career was done.
It was a sad day when my hero retired, I admit that I did cry knowing that I would not see that sweet swing anymore. Ken Griffey, Jr., was not just a player to me, he was an inspiration, he was a terrific athlete, he was my hero, and he is the reason that I have a great love of baseball and sports. If I never would've watched that one game in 1994 I don't think I would've never gotten into sports or have a love for the Seattle teams. So to Ken Griffey, Jr., I want to thank you for being that one inspiration I needed to develop such a love for the Seattle Mariners, the Seattle Seahawks, the Seattle SuperSonics, and for getting me involved in playing sports.
Thank you Jr., for everything that you have done for me. For making me fall in love with the game of baseball and for making me a Seattle Mariners fan.
Now for the first three games I didn't show any interest in the team but the fourth game of the year changed my life forever. In the top of the fourth inning a young slugger by the name of Ken Griffey, Jr., stepped in and drove a deep drive for his first homerun of the season, when I saw that homerun hit with the sweetest swing in baseball I immediately fell in love not with just the Seattle Mariners but with Ken Griffey, Jr. Now, Griffey made me love the game of baseball even more in the top of the seventh inning by hitting another sweet swing homerun of the year. Unfortunately the Mariners lost the game 8-6 but I was instantly hooked on the team.
The 1994 baseball season was cut short due to the players strike but after that year I would become not just a fan of the Mariners but a fan of the Seattle Seahawks and the Seattle Supersonics. I had the privilege of watching my first Seahawks game with my grandmother as well and got to see them dominate the Washington Redskins 28-7! The Supersonics did the same thing to me in their first game as I got to watch both Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp beat the Utah Jazz 110-101. My love for sports grew so much in one year and every since 1994 I have not stopped loving the game of baseball, football, or basketball.
1995 would see my love for the Mariners reach a new height, I watch the team go to their first playoff series in their franchise history but I also attended the team's home opener. That first game would be amazing for me being a 5 year old, when Griffey came up to the plate in the bottom of the fifth inning I cheered my loudest and told my dad that Griffey would hit his first homerun of the year and Jr., didn't disappoint as he hit a 3-run homerun to put the M's up 3-0 on the Detroit Tigers and Randy Johnson also dealt an incredible game throwing 6 innings of shutout baseball and striking out 8 batters.
The scare of my young life came in that game where Griffey raced to make one of the greatest catches of his career but on that play Griffey broke his left wrist and would be sidelined for 72 games. Once Griffey made his return the Mariners pulled together to make a late season surge to take their first American League West title. The 1995 Division Series was just as nerve racking as the season was but as a 5 year old you would think that I wouldn't pay much attention but your dead wrong, my eyes were glued to the screen and everything my grandmother did I did. Going into Game 3 we were worried that we would be swepted by the New York Yankees, but that would not be the case. The Mariners made sure that they would continue their new slogan "Refuse To Lose" and came back from a 2-0 deficit in the series and won the series to move on to their first American League Championship Series against the winningest team in baseball that year the Cleveland Indians. The Mariners would lose in 6 games.
The 95 season would see the Seahawks finish 8-8 but would see the Sonics go 66-14 and would lose in the NBA Finals in 6 games to the 72-10 Chicago Bulls.
Now the blog is named The Kid for a reason, because Ken Griffey, Jr., was the reason I got into sports. From 96-99 season I attended 100 games in the Kingdome and I also attended the final Kingdome game where Griffey would hit one more homerun in the beloved stadium. Griffey was not just a player to me, he was a God and he was then and still my favorite player and hero. When I played on a baseball team I made sure I was the first one to snatch up the number 24 and I continued to wear that number with every baseball team I played for. When Jr., was traded away to Cincinnati I was devastated and I wrote him a letter telling him he was the reason I watched Mariners baseball, and he actually wrote me back saying in the letter "I appreciate your letter and your interest in baseball. Because of the thousands of letters I receive each week, it is not possible to respond to each one personally. I am enclosing you a special baseball card, and hope that you enjoy following the Mariners and Major League Baseball. Best wishes from your hero Ken Griffey Jr." After I received that letter I told myself to not to continue loving the Mariners but to also following him as his career continued in Cincinnati.
The 2000 Mariners season saw Mike Cameron make plays that made me just love the Mariners still and the team made a great American League Wild Card champion run in the playoffs by sweeping the Chicago White Sox but falling to the Yankees in the ALCS. Griffey had a terrific 2000 batting .271 slugging out 40 homeruns and batting in 118 RBIs. Over the next 4 years would see Jr.'s superstardom decline as the injuries crept up on the aging superstar. 2004 would see Griffey hit his 500th homerun of his career on Father's Day. 2005 would see Griffey renew his career by hitting 35 homeruns and driving in 85 RBIs and winning the National League Comeback Player of the Year. 2006 would see Griffey play well again and he would play for Team USA in the first World Baseball Classic, as he batted .524 and hit 3 homeruns but the USA failed to make the semifinals, Griffey would make the All WBC Team and would finish tied for the most RBIs in the tournament with 10.
The regular season Griffey would hit 27 homeruns and drive in 72 RBIs. After both the 2007 and 2008 season the Mariners announced the signing of Griffey and as I knew this day would come again I celebrated all night. I attended 18 games that year at Safeco Field and I was able to watch Griffey hit 8 homeruns in those 18 games, he would finish the year off 19 homeruns. The next year Griffey signed again with the team but it would turn out to be the worst season of his career as he would not hit any homeruns and batted a mediocre .184, in the middle of the season Griffey just left the state of Washington and announce that his career was done.
It was a sad day when my hero retired, I admit that I did cry knowing that I would not see that sweet swing anymore. Ken Griffey, Jr., was not just a player to me, he was an inspiration, he was a terrific athlete, he was my hero, and he is the reason that I have a great love of baseball and sports. If I never would've watched that one game in 1994 I don't think I would've never gotten into sports or have a love for the Seattle teams. So to Ken Griffey, Jr., I want to thank you for being that one inspiration I needed to develop such a love for the Seattle Mariners, the Seattle Seahawks, the Seattle SuperSonics, and for getting me involved in playing sports.
Thank you Jr., for everything that you have done for me. For making me fall in love with the game of baseball and for making me a Seattle Mariners fan.
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About Me
Im a huge Seattle sports nut. Thats basically about me. But im an upcoming blogger who writes only about the Mariners, Seahawks, Sounders, and when they come back the Sonics. Now if you would like me to write about something tweet me and i will write it. Now i should mark that im also Irish and have a beard that is feared above Brian Wilson's beard. His beard can kiss my beard's ass!