Ken Griffey, Jr. retired today. I will always remember him as a teenager, cutting up in the Mariners dugout and then coming out to hit the most amazing homeruns with the sweetest swing in baseball. You always knew when his hit was gone, because the bat gave a very distinctive crack. Those were the days. My son grew up watching Griffey, Martinez (Edgar and Tino), Buhner, Randy Johnson, Dan Wilson, Joey Cora, Alex Rodriguez...the list goes on. Benton was 8 years old in 1995 when the Mariners made it to post-season for the first time. For years after that, he worked single-mindedly towards the major leagues. But somewhere along the line he discovered writing and then politics, and a choice had to be made. Baseball faded away.
But, oh those last few years of the 20th century were sweet. We used to play the Ken Griffey, Jr. release of the baseball game for Super Nintendo together. Benton would call all the plays just like Dave Niehaus. "Get out the rye bread and mustard, Grandma! It's GRAND SALAMI time!" When I found myself expecting twin boys in 1996, 9-year-old Benton said he wanted them to be named Kenny and Alex, so they were.
We were heartbroken when Griffey left for Cincinnati, although we understood. Unlike most of the people in the stands, I never booed Alex Rodriguez when he came back with the Rangers or the Yankees to play. He was a kid; of course he went for the money! Who would expect anything else?
I cried when Jay Buhner retired and when Lou left. I will undoubtedly sob uncontrollably when Dave Niehaus finally retires. And can Ichiro be far behind? He is 36 after all. I cried like a baby when Mike Cameron carried the American flag around the field after the Mariners clinched the American League West title on September 19, 2001. They went on to win 116 games that year.
This is indeed the end of an era. Thanks for the memories, Junior. Take good care of that beautiful family of yours. Always remember that Seattle loves you.
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