What Could Have Been...

Sadly the goal that the Vote for Junior campaign was founded upon and set out to achieve will not be accomplished. However, those involved with the campaign and that were drawn to it received an inside look at one of the greats of the game of baseball. Here are some of our drafted ideas for potential future post:

Reasons to Vote for Junior

He SHOULD have been the HR king
-1994 players strike, injuries (wrist, shower, boat accident, etc.)

He is the ONLY option
-Review the career stats of the leading ballot members

He is a nostalgic guy
-Wore a Michael Jackson glove, created the Jackie Robinson jersey, changed number to #3 for the number of kids he has

He helped boost the baseball card industry

He has the MOST iconic baseball card ever
-Darren Rovell of CNBC wrote a piece on this
-Honus Wagner eat your heart out

He would be a crowd and fan pleasure
-We want him in, place in the standings (Blogs, Facebook pages, etc.)

He is a face of an organization...and 90's baseball

He is the best of the 90's
-Voted by peers as 90s best player

*Selected reason submitted by a blog read

Charlie and I would like to thank all of those who read our blog, followed our social media and assisted with our campaign. We have appreciated your comments, suggestions and gratitude. We know there were many readers who enjoy our post and grew to understand the value of having Ken Griffey Jr. in the 2010 MLB All-Star Game. Thanks again for everything and just remember fellow patrons that Ken Griffey Jr. is eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015. Is he a first year, first ballot guy? We think yes! Maybe Charlie and I will have to make a comeback campaign?

He always was great with his words...but the BEST with a glove and bat.

The following is Ken Griffey Jr.'s statement on his retirement:

I've come to a decision today to retire from Major League Baseball as an active player. This has been on my mind recently, but it's not an easy decision to come by. I am extremely thankful for the opportunity to have played Major League Baseball for so long and thankful for all of the friendships I have made, while also being proud of my accomplishments.

I'd like to thank my family for all of the sacrifices they have made all of these years for me. I'd like to thank the Seattle Mariners organization for allowing me to finish my playing career where it started. I look forward to a continued, meaningful relationship with them for many years to come.

While I feel I am still able to make a contribution on the field, and nobody in the Mariners front office has asked me to retire, I told the Mariners when I met with them prior to the 2009 season and was invited back, that I will never allow myself to become a distraction. I feel that without enough occasional starts to be sharper coming off the bench, my continued presence as a player would be an unfair distraction to my teammates, and their success as team is what the ultimate goal should be.

My hope is that my teammates can focus on baseball and win a championship for themselves and for the great fans of Seattle, who so very much deserve one. Thanks to all of you for welcoming me back, and thanks again to everyone over the years who has played a part in the success of my career.

Help Griffey get what Ripken and Schmidt got, one last all-star memory! Help make Junior the starting DH for the American League in the 2010 MLB All-Star Game.

Vote for Junior

2010 MLB All-Star Game AL voting update #4

In the newest 2010 MLB All-Star Game voting update, Griffey has maintained his third place standings among American League designated hitters. As he maintains his third place position, the fans votes have truly illustrated their appreciation and their desire for him to yet again be "star" in Anaheim, CA.

(click to enlarge)

Keep it up and Junior will be sure to pass hometown favorite and under performing, Hideki Matsui of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the standings. For the traditionalist and stats lovers that may have or are voting for Vladimir Guerrero of the Texas Rangers, stop! Just think how much more it would mean to Ken Griffey Jr. in his retirement year and what more it would mean to the game and baseball history if he was voted into the 2010 MLB All-Star Game!

A total of seventeen days remain for fan voting for the ASG, plenty of time to make up ground and grab some headlines for Junior and a spot for him in the Midsummer Classic.

Word of mouth and additional media coverage are what can propel is campaign and Junior into a ASG roster spot for the American League. So tell your family, friends (enemies too), sports fans, co-workers, fellow bystanders, the guy/girl next to you in the grocery store line and anyone else who can do the right thing to vote for Junior in the 2010 MLB All-Star Game balloting!


VOTE FOR JUNIOR!

Reason to vote for Junior- #13 He is the ultimate team player

Even though many believe baseball is a individual sport, with pitcher vs. batter match-ups, there is a need for "team effort" to succeed in winning ballgames and championships. Few players can honestly consider themselves as a team player and can bind a team together, not only with their spectacle play on the field but also with their presence and voice in the clubhouse. Junior could do this, it went unnoticed by players and others around baseball. Members of the Seattle Mariners and other MLB teams knew Griffey was the best you could ask for in a teammate.

Every moment with him is a treasure. It will keep deep within my heart. I’ve played 19 years in professional baseball and I can say that he was my best teammate and my best friend as well.

- Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners outfielder

Well, obviously he’s the greatest Mariner of all time, and he was a great teammate. Ken was always a team first guy.

- Jay Buhner, former Mariners outfielder

Team USA, 2006 World Baseball Classic

.524 AVG (tournament best, minimum 12 plate appearances)
3 HR (T-3 among leaders)
10 RBI (T-1 among leaders)

MLB teams, 1989-2010 Mariners/Reds/White Sox
In team wins he has a .318 AVG/ 1201 RBI/ 402 HR/
He has a .283 AVG/ 1167 RBI/155 HR with RISP
He has a .290 AVG/ 1499 RBI/ 293 HR with men on base
24th all-time single season leader for WAR (9.70 in 1996)
15th all-time career leader for WAR (78.4)
From 1989-1999 the Mariners had a winning percentage of .494 with Junior

WAR can only be completely be calculated from 1974-present due to the need for play-by-play scoring

Along with his remarkable "team-player" like statistics, Griffey had the personality and approach to the game that allowed him to provide essential intangibles to all his teams. Please feel free to view previous post to see his contributions to his all-star teams. Keep up the voting for Junior to ensure that he gets the chance to help the 2010 American League All-Star Team and its members with all-star play and guidance.

Vote for Junior