Ken Griffey Jr. Returns Home to Seattle Mariners

When Ken Griffey Jr signed a one-year contract with the Mariners this offseason, it marked his homecoming to Seattle. After spending his first 11 seasons playing for the Mariners, in the process likely saving the franchise, Griffey requested a trade. When he was dealt to Cincinnati before the 2000 season, Griffey was on pace to break numerous all-time records, including the storied home run record. Instead of being remembered for breaking records, though, Griffey's tenure with the Reds will be more associated with his numerous injuries and disappointments. Finally a decade later, Junior's career comes full circle as he returns to the place where his career was once so promising.

This deal makes sense for both Griffey and the Mariners. Griffey has the potential to fill many needs for the Mariners, as they could use him in left field and as designated hitter. This acquisition also addressed the Mariners void of power, especially from the left side of the plate following the departure of Raul Ibanez. Rejoining the M's also makes sense for Griffey, as he will receive the opportunity to play on an everyday basis. Another advantage of returning to the American League is that Junior can play DH on occasion, saving him some of the wear and tear of playing in the field all season.

Even if Griffey contributes significantly for the Mariners in 2009, they likely will not have the talent to reach the postseason. Coming off a 100 loss season, Seattle made a number of changes and is in the process of rebuilding their squad. Subsequently, Junior may be relied upon as a veteran presence in the locker room and a mentor to some of the younger players.

In addition to his contributions on the field and in the clubhouse, Griffey should also provide a tremendous boon in ticket sales. Fittingly, when Safeco Field was christened in 1999, it was dubbed "the house that Griffey built". Now he looks to help rebuild the fanbase of a team that has struggled over the past five seasons, and has seen its attendance fall rapidly in recent years.

Perhaps the best aspect of this signing, however, is that fans will be able to relive all of the great moments Griffey had in Seattle. First there is his debut as an 19-year-old rookie in 1989, when he was simply known as "the kid". Shortly thereafter, Griffey made history as he played alongside his father in the Mariners outfield. In a classic moment, the Griffeys junior and senior homered back-to-back in a game, becoming the first father-son duo to accomplish the feat. By 1993, Griffey established himself as an elite player, as he belted 45 homers, batted over .300, and captured his fourth straight Gold Glove award. Also during this campaign, he tied a Major League record by homering in eight straight games, set an AL record amongst outfielders for most consecutive errorless chances, and became the first player to hit the warehouse in Baltimore during the Homerun Derby. Junior missed a large portion of the 1995 season after breaking his wrist making a spectacular catch leaping into the wall at the Kingdome, but he returned in time to play in Seattle's first ever postseason appearance. Griffey belted five home runs in the series, and capped a dramatic comeback by scoring the game-winning run in the 11th inning of the decisive game 5 against the Yankees. This play is unquestionably the most legendary moment in Mariners history, and helped put the team in the national spotlight after nearly 20 years of obscurity. Griffey himself finally received his due in 1997 when he was deservedly named the American League Most Valuable Player, as he produced 56 homers and 147 RBI's to go along with his .304 batting average and Gold Glove defense. His final year as a Mariner, 1999, produced some of his greatest moments. Appropriately, in the final game ever played at the Kingdome, Griffey homered, and even more spectacularly, robbed Juan Gonzalez of a home run. Griffey also notched his tenth All-Star selection and tenth Gold Glove in his last year in Seattle, and left the Emerald City with 398 career home runs, and nearly every Mariners offensive record. Arguably even more impressive, Griffey was named to the MLB All-Century Team before even reaching age 30.

Many wonder what could have been with Griffey, as he missed significant portions of six straight seasons in Cincinnati due to injury. If he had been able to stay healthy, or perhaps even if he stayed in Seattle, Griffey likely would be closing in on breaking Hank Aaron's legendary mark for home runs. He also would have shattered the 3000 hit and 2000 RBI plateaus, possibly establishing himself as the greatest offensive player of all-time. As it stands now, Griffey has 611 career home runs, as well as 2680 hits and 1772 RBIs, and a lifetime .288 average. Now possibly in his final season, Seattle's greatest player returns home. Clearly Griffey is not the same player he was for the Mariners ten years ago. Regardless of how he plays this season, however, this reunion gives all baseball fans a chance to reflect on Griffey's epic career in Seattle. Fittingly, the world has a final chance to see one of baseball's greatest players of all-time wearing the uniform for which he'll forever be remembered.