MLB Stars: Ken Griffey Jr.
Cincinnati Reds Baseball Fans Need to Appreciate Hall of Famer
Ken Griffey Jr. has played his heart out for the Cincinnati Reds. And it still seems as if those fans do not appreciate all the things he has sacrificed for them.
Will Cincinnati Reds fans please taste the flavor of their own shoes? Please pay attention to this as you finish the cuisine of crow. No your team is not in first place. Nor is it in the wildcard race. But Ken Griffey Jr. is still playing and it is almost August.
The only thing Junior has heard since arriving to his hometown is the chatter of speculation about when he may be leaving. How about never? Griffey has played his heart out for his hometown fans since arriving there in 2000. He has sustained some injuries; mostly incurred while playing his heart out (even the last one—just with his son not the team). So he hasn’t hit 40 home runs since 2000, nor has he completed a full season, but do none of those fair weather swine city fans remember how much money Ken Griffey Jr. gave up to come to your town? A first ballot Hall of Famer gave up millions of dollars to come and play for the city he loved and the fans, and family he enjoyed.
This season has been a challenge, but again the class of Junior shined as he remained silent regarding the move to right field. Junior handed down the torch as guardian of the night sky in the Great American outfield for you the fan and still no respect!
Junior graced Cincinnati, making their uniform present in the mid-summer classic. The 2007 season also rendered Griffey with the highest total player votes for the National League. So other fans love him, how about those in “his” town? Seattle gave Griffey the reunion for the ages - so where is Cincinnati’s thanks?
What has Ken Griffey Jr. done for you? Besides turning down millions of dollars to be like ex-teammate A-Rod, Ken Griffey Jr. has entered the 500 home-run club wearing a Cincinnati uniform. Didn’t Griffey get selected to the All-Century Team? Again he was sporting the oldest logo in baseball and again he wasn't a poster boy for BALCO bi-products.
But look at all the money you could have spent on pitching. That worked out. Ask the Reds' pitcher Eric Milton – how much did he make to sit on the DL?
So it is time, it is swine time. It is time for the fans of Cincinnati to go appreciate their playing legend. It is time to show appreciation for someone who has done so much for your team, and most of all time to respect the man who went there for love of the game.
