Cooperstown 2016: Ken Griffey Jr.

KEN GRIFFEY JR.
First Year on Ballot

PLAYING CAREER: Seattle Mariners (1989–1999), Cincinnati Reds (2000–2008), Chicago White Sox (2008) and Seattle Mariners (2009–2010)

ACHIEVEMENTS: First pick overall in the 1987 Draft. 13-time All-Star (1990–2000, 2004 and 2007). 1992 All-Star Game MVP. 1997 American League MVP (1997)…including seven top ten finishes. 10-straight Gold Glove Awards (1990–1999). Seven-time Silver Slugger Award winner (1991, 1993-1994 and 1996–1999). 2005 National League Comeback Player of the Year. 630 career home runs…good for sixth all-time. Four-time American League home run leader (1994 and 1997–1999). Three-time Home Run Derby champion (1994 and 1998-1999). 1997 American League RBI leader. In 2013, became seventh player inducted into the Seattle Mariners Hall of Fame. In 2014, was inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame. Voted to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team in 1999.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ON TWITTER:

https://twitter.com/warsticbatco/status/674984898302636032

https://twitter.com/JakeKat729/status/671415587495682048

Ken Griffey Jr is the definition of a first-ballot HOFer. One of the best to ever do it, and always kept a big smile. #TheKid

— Conley 2.0 (@Aj_Con) November 13, 2015

HOVG THOUGHTS:  When Griffey finally gets into the Hall of Fame, it’ll be the final step of an epic journey that started on Opening Day 1989.  But what can be said about Junior that you don’t already know?  630 career home runs, 1836 RBI and 2781 hits pretty much make him a shoe-in.  And if that isn’t good enough…how about ten Gold Gloves, 13 All-Star Game appearances and that 1997 American League MVP award?  Yeah…thought so.