Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User - Deadspin Comments

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

kurt9988 — Thu, 01 May 2008 16:05:41 EDT

Steroids? Don't you know everyone is innocent in the big leagues? Unless you have a picture of a needle sticking out of Clemens'ass I don't believe it. Or if a 15-year-old girl tells me she saw Clemens'ass.

kurt9988

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

HernandezStache — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 17:44:23 EDT

Why isn't everybody talking about how amazing a milestone it is?

cause he's black?

/hides under desk waiting for HR summons

HernandezStache

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

WayneFontesFanatic — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 17:08:53 EDT

@TheEggman: @spinachdip: That may have been some of Nike's finest ad campaigning ever. I was a proud owner of a Griffey for President T-Shirt.

WayneFontesFanatic

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

IchiroSuzukiSamurai — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:38:04 EDT

He had some sour years there, but when he came back to Seattle last year and was totally shocked at the love shown him by the fans, it was like a huge veil fell from over his eyes and he realized some things about himself he had forgotten.

IchiroSuzukiSamurai

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

Laser Guided — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:16:54 EDT

Griffey lived across the street from my brother in Cincy. Griffey's place was bigger than my brother's place.

/true story

Laser Guided

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

broad street bully — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:14:00 EDT

@Andrew: That story was insightful and flaming

broad street bully

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

Secret Identity — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:01:01 EDT

@The Gizmo from Pismo:

He wasn't a free agent, he demanded a trade but ONLY TO THE REDS. What other "bigger offers" could there have been? The only bigger offers could have been TO Seattle, if the Mariners had been able to shop him around the entire league. Instead they had to settle for Mike Cameron, Brett Tomko and Antonio Perez for their franchise player.

Secret Identity

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

The Gizmo from Pismo — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:45:54 EDT

Can't even bash him for leaving Seattle. He left because he wanted to be closer to his home and family. People forget he had several bigger offers from teams when he signed with Cincinnati.

The Gizmo from Pismo

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

Aith — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:33:03 EDT

I'm really glad to see this article. I'm an Astros fan and was listening to the game last night when he hit 597 (clearly they were playing the Reds). I was sending messages to all my friends... he could be making a run at the record if he hadn't spent all that time sitting out entire seasons. Great player, great hitter.

Aith

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

RachelRayIsTheDevil — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:22:35 EDT

Baseball media conveniently refers to the whole steroid issue as the "steroid era." The phrase implies that the problem has been addressed and is behind us. Writers want access to the players and won't fully enjoy that privilege if they are continually making steroid accusations. Calling it an "era" helps put the topic to bed. How conveeeenient. Era my ass.

RachelRayIsTheDevil

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

spinachdip — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:20:22 EDT

@MeanMachine: Because porn mags have more compelling, better crafted, and less predictable writing than Reader's Digest?

Seriously, RD is where failed greeting writers go.

@WayneFontesFanatic: But! Griffey served his nation bravely in the minor leagues!

spinachdip

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

muggsybogues — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:06:45 EDT

The Mike Jordan of baseball.

muggsybogues

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

TheEggman — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:52:26 EDT

@WayneFontesFanatic: I remember going to the 96 All Star game in Philly when I was growing up and the Mariner Moose was campaigning for Griffey on top of an RV. This post says it all, Griffey is great and I've never met a person who disliked him.

TheEggman

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

manischevz — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:50:30 EDT

Back in '98, the M's had the ESPN Sunday night game right before the All-Star Break. Griffey got into Colorado late and was pissed.

He was going to skip the HR Derby until one of the other players told him it would only reflect poorly on Jr. if he skipped it, regardless of circumstance.

Griffey thought about it for like 8 seconds, said screw it, went out and won the derby.

manischevz

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

The Diesel — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:45:10 EDT

@Afino: MarioKart.

The Diesel

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

drewheyman — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:44:46 EDT

@The HZA: Ahh, the bidding war between Tom Hicks and Tom Hicks. Doesn't everyone wish their boss would act like that around merit increase/raise time?

drewheyman

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

Bluenatic — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:41:36 EDT

[nbadraft.net]

Bluenatic

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

WayneFontesFanatic — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:40:35 EDT

@dont-forget-where-you-came-from-cheese mac: I'll always remember how bad his career fell off after Griffey ran for president in the Nike Commercial with Lil' Penny. Then again, I guess his career didn't fall off nearly as hard as real Penny...

WayneFontesFanatic

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

AkAggie — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:37:28 EDT

@Afino: On N64 he could hit a homer every time, but pulled a hammy rounding the bases.

AkAggie

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

Secret Identity — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:31:52 EDT

@The HZA:

He didn't sell out, he was entranced by the Rangers' championship legacy.

Secret Identity

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

KoSuKe Fuk-U — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:29:31 EDT

So I was at the Cubs-Rangers game where Sammy Sosa hit his 600th home run. It was extremely bittersweet for me, because I got a great picture.

Also, steroids.

KoSuKe Fuk-U

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

The Sports Hernia — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:27:58 EDT

It's because he wore his hat backwards during batting practice and thus disrespected the game of baseball.

The Sports Hernia

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

drewheyman — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:26:33 EDT

Also no one is talking yet because he won't get to 600 until the 2009-2010 season due to injury..wait until then...it'll be maddess I tells ya!!

drewheyman

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

GirlLegal29 — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:26:03 EDT

@SonofSpurrier: I put Griffey in my mind in the same category as say, Grant Hill, Dikembe Mutumbo, Sam Cassell...all athletes who, when I hear their name on tv (even when watching a game they are playing in), I have to think, is it 1998?

GirlLegal29

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

TomahawkFlop — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:25:47 EDT

@Shawon-O-Meter:

Is that all?

TomahawkFlop

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

Shawon-O-Meter — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:24:37 EDT

Might have something to do with the fact that the Reds are a hundred games under .500 since he signed.

Shawon-O-Meter

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

TomahawkFlop — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:20:56 EDT

@Charles:

Just sayin', thirteen (and counting) seasons without being in the playoffs will render you irrelevant. But you are right about the injuries too; without the injuries, Jr would have ended up playing back in a major market or on a perrenial winner.

TomahawkFlop

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

Farneyismycopilot — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:19:42 EDT

@Farneyismycopilot: escalator* hear*

Damnit, back to the hole for me.

Farneyismycopilot

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

The HZA — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:17:23 EDT

I forgot he still plays baseball.

I used to love him when he played for the Mariners. I quit watching baseball when Alex Rodriguez sold out to Texas for 252 million.

The HZA

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

Charles — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:15:29 EDT

@TomahawkFlop:

If we're wondering why Griffey is overlooked, I'd go with small-market team and injuries over his lack of winning.

Charles

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

Farneyismycopilot — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:14:45 EDT

Some people are talking about this, Will.
From Doc's blog earlier today:
[frontier.cincinnati.com]

Also, my favorite Griffey moment of all time was when my buddy and I saw him leaving the same showing of Spider-Man in NKY. He was behind us on the escelator and he was talking on and on with his son about the movie. It was kind of crazy to here an All-Star talking about webbing.

Farneyismycopilot

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

SonofSpurrier — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:11:29 EDT

You mean he hasn't retired yet?

SonofSpurrier

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

BarbarobicsInstructor — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:09:52 EDT

@Pittsburgh Sports and Mini Ponies: IT's too bad they couldn't make his lips bigger....

BarbarobicsInstructor

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

the earl of weaver — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:09:30 EDT

Steroid user? No. Brain and nerve tonic user? Yes.

the earl of weaver

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

MickelsonsManBoobs — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:09:25 EDT

Griffey has been a huge dick in every single interview that I have ever seen.

MickelsonsManBoobs

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

1980 David Bowie From The Music Video Ashes To Ashes — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:08:31 EDT

My absolute favorite player growing up was Ken Griffey, Jr. One of my favorite childhood sports memories was going to a Royals-Mariners game and watching Griffey hit a towering home run in person. It was awesome. Then I threw up because I had the flu so we had to go home early. But at least I got to see one of the sweetest swings in the game at its peak.

Damn those injuries. Shoulda been you, Barry Bonds.

1980 David Bowie From The Music Video Ashes To Ashes

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

2ndBase — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:07:53 EDT

@OchentaYcinco: We made one hell of a drinking game out of that video game. Projectile vomitting was a guarantee.

2ndBase

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

ILovePaleHoseandPaleHos — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:06:35 EDT

@Andrew: Ken Griffey Jr. agrees.

ILovePaleHoseandPaleHos

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

The Fan’s Attic — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:05:14 EDT

@Captain Caveman: I hate all Seattle sports teams, but I always liked Griffey, Jr.

The Fan’s Attic

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

TomahawkFlop — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:05:13 EDT

Griffey Jr as a Mariner = Relevant
Griffey Jr as a Red = Irrelevant

Let's not forget that Griffey Jr hasn't won jack shit since he slid home and beat the Yankees in the 95 Division Series.

TomahawkFlop

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

ghostsoftheSCupcountry — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:02:35 EDT

@crazyjoedavola: +24...well said. Griffey is under the radar because he bailed on Seattle for the Reds...and the chemically enhanced blew past him. A first ballot HOFer and one of the true gentlemen of the game. Will wind up the Musial or Robinson of this generation.

ghostsoftheSCupcountry

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

Jefferson Short Bus — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:59:27 EDT

Griffey's Mariners practice jersey (circa 1995) is the only sports jersey I've ever bought.

Enough said.

Jefferson Short Bus

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

Len Bias Cocaine Surplus — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:57:37 EDT

You don't get gigantism from nothing.

Len Bias Cocaine Surplus

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

Pittsburgh Sports and Mini Ponies — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:56:10 EDT

Alright, Donora, PA!

Pittsburgh Sports and Mini Ponies

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

Tuffy — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:56:05 EDT

Why am I supposed to get excited about the brilliant student that never applied himself and only showed up to class when he had to? Just because he scored well on his ACTs? We knew he was wicked smart already.

Note: this is different than Grant Hill because he had mono. Can't hold that against him.

Tuffy

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

dont-forget-where-you-came-from-cheese mac — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:53:55 EDT

@the earl of weaver: I'll always remember how he robbed Don Mattingly of a home run in a nike commercial. And for that, I will never forgive him.

dont-forget-where-you-came-from-cheese mac

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

EddieRebel — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:52:07 EDT

Also, no seems to care Ken Giraffey Jr just entertained his 600th minor league ball park.

EddieRebel

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

Windier E. Megatons — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:50:44 EDT

@Trenton Makes The World Takes: That blows.

Windier E. Megatons

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

Deadspin — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:50:33 EDT

All of Griffey Junior's injuries stem from his frightful nerve tonic overdose.

Deadspin

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

EddieRebel — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:50:31 EDT

Also, no one seems to care that Craig Griffey just sold his 600th used car.

EddieRebel

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

BringBackAlHolland — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:50:27 EDT

Barry Bonds, Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User.

Well, one outta three ain't bad.

BringBackAlHolland

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

MisterC — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:49:55 EDT

You're still assuming he'll hit #600 without his arm falling off and shattering into pieces.

MisterC

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

Joetimek — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:49:53 EDT

I honestly thought he retired when I hadn't heard anything coming from his corner about 2-3 years ago. Growing up in the 90's, he and Frank Thomas were all I heard about. I mean, the guy started playing in the majors when I was two. I guess you tend to forget about people when the pinnacle of their career was more than 10 years ago.

Joetimek

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

Andrew — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:49:42 EDT

I've always loved Griffey. I wore 24 and played CF in little league. My mom would always yell at me for wearing my hat backwards "like a thug" and I'd whine "But Ken Griffey wears his like this" After my father, Ken Griffey has had the biggest influence in making me a baseball fan.

Andrew

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

Doyle McPoyle — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:49:36 EDT

If he wasn't on the juice, how do you explain his grotesquely swollen jaw?

Doyle McPoyle

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

Captain Caveman — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:49:14 EDT

Yeah, that time he broke his wrist crashing into the Kingdome centerfield wall was totally because he didn't stretch and was on steroids.

Only assholes hate on Griffey.

Captain Caveman

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

Pittsburgh Sports and Mini Ponies — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:48:44 EDT

@OchentaYcinco: [bp3.blogger.com]

Awesome

Pittsburgh Sports and Mini Ponies

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

crazyjoedavola — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:48:36 EDT

No one is talking about it? You mean the media who constantly bombards us with steroid stories that no one gives a shit about anymore? Or the media that discovers a guy is 2 years older than he says and sandbags him?

Griffey plays the game right, and the biggest controversy around him was some old fuck was pissed because he wore his hat backwards. He's the Tim Duncan of baseball, minus the championships of course.

/End rant
//goes to rinse out underwear.

crazyjoedavola

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

Balls State Explorer — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:47:47 EDT

@twoeightnine: Tickets were 1/2 off if you came disguised as an empty seat.

Balls State Explorer

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

the earl of weaver — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:47:45 EDT

I'll always remember how he robbed Lou Collins' homer in Little Big League.

the earl of weaver

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

Matt_T — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:47:37 EDT

Griffey isnt 'now' enough for tWWL

Matt_T

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

HuckNPluck — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:47:02 EDT

I think people are generally just desensitized to the long ball accomplishments after Bonds. Everyone feels a little cheated about the steroids and besides, there was approximately 8000 too many hours devoted to beating Aaron's record, Mitchell, etc... (and now Tejada).

I'm about ready to watch playoff hockey. That's going on for the next 4 months, right?

HuckNPluck

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

Civil Negligence — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:46:56 EDT

@SteveJeltzFan: I have that one too! Is it still stuck at $8?

Civil Negligence

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

TheStarterWife — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:45:15 EDT

@OchentaYcinco: Not only do I still think of him as 22, I always think of him as a Mariner.

TheStarterWife

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

Magnakai Haaskivi — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:44:58 EDT

600 home runs? Please. Call us when you win 10,000 games, Mr. Griffey.

Magnakai Haaskivi

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

SteveJeltzFan — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:44:56 EDT

How will this affect the value of his Upper Deck rookie card we all have?

SteveJeltzFan

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

MeanMachine — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:44:40 EDT

Theory 1: Griffey ceased to be relevant from a fantasy perspective years ago, too many injuries + so-called small market team = collective yawn.

Theory 2: People prefer porn to Reader's Digest.

MeanMachine

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

André Roussimoff — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:44:32 EDT

Muscles McGee and Frank Liberty were definitely on the juice though.

André Roussimoff

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

asliceofbacon — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:44:26 EDT

Well, it's tough to get excited when his best moment was the cameo in "Little Big League"

asliceofbacon

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

ImAManImForty — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:44:06 EDT

Best player of the 90s by far.

He played with such joy before the injuries, now he does his job quietly and no one notices this huge accomplishment.

Let us all get a collection for a fruit basket or something...

ImAManImForty

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

twoeightnine — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:43:36 EDT

How'd they get all those fans to wear the same clothes?

twoeightnine

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

MrMoustache — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:43:36 EDT

@OchentaYcinco: Can O' Corn, Nick Noheart, and Barny Tater are all very impressed.

MrMoustache

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

Lady Andrea — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:43:15 EDT

@OchentaYcinco: I saw him hit #500 and he seemed so young and excited. Every time I see his age, I am surprised.

Lady Andrea

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

Trenton Makes The World Takes — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:42:44 EDT

Essentially, it is never iffy with Griffy.

Trenton Makes The World Takes

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

Afino — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:42:33 EDT

@OchentaYcinco:

He had the best Super Nintendo sports game ever

Fixed.

Afino

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

Civil Negligence — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:42:33 EDT

I'm gonna reserve judgment until Canseco's third book comes out.

Civil Negligence

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

Dan Levy — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:42:28 EDT

When he hits 600, It'll like a party in his mouth, and everyone's invited.

Dan Levy

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

MickelsonsManBoobs — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:42:09 EDT

Who says Griffey didn't juice? All those injuries....He is protected from up on high in MLB.

MickelsonsManBoobs

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

Al Tijuana — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:41:58 EDT

He probably also could have avoided all those injuries if he believed in a little thing called "stretching".

Al Tijuana

Ken Griffey Jr., Quiet, Slugging Non-Steroid User

OchentaYcinco — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:40:58 EDT

He had the best Super Nintendo game ever. And he did that without the juice, too. Bravo, Junior.

Seriously, am I the only one that still thinks of him as being like 22?

OchentaYcinco