Griffey to announce retirement

[TheOnlyRedsFan]

SEATTLE -- Ken Griffey Jr. is retiring Wednesday, FanHouse has learned.

Sources said that Griffey, who didn't report to Safeco Field for the Mariners' game against the Minnesota Twins Wednesday, is saying "it's over.''

Griffey, the man who more than any other helped build the Mariners into a viable franchise as the premier center fielder of the the 1990s, played for Seattle from 1989-1999 and came back again in 2009 where he helped revitalized the franchise.

But he hasn't been able to duplicate that success in 2010 and he's gotten increasingly less playing time. He's only had seven at-bats since May 18 as Mike Sweeney has become increasingly more productive as the Mariners' designated hitter.

The formal announcement should come within the hour.

http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/06/02/k...ce-retirement/

[HalMorrisRules]

Baseball Tonight is reporting it also. Live happily ever after Junior.

[Griffey012]

It is definitely his time to go, and I am glad to see he didn't force a PR nightmare by making them release him. Guaranteed first ballot HOF'er.

Really hard to realize he is going to be out of the game...seems like not all that long ago I was 7, fell in love with Griffey, and spent the next 6 years of my life imitating him while playing whiffleball/baseball in the backyard and on the diamonds.

Thanks for a tremendous career, and allowing me to not watch my childhood idol become a complete disgrace to the game of baseball by juicing up.

KGJ has his faults, but we all do, but as I get older, it is nice to know he seems like he is a great dad/husband along with being a professional athlete... that's just not something you see to often anymore.

Here's to the Kid!

[Donder]

Despite suspecting this was coming, it is hard to believe. It would be interesting (albeit impossible) to know how many people are baseball fans because of him.

I'm young enough that I don't really remember baseball before Jr. He'll be missed.

[texasdave]

He had one sweet swing. Best of luck in the future and thank you for some great memories.

[Griffey012]

Originally Posted by Donder

Despite suspecting this was coming, it is hard to believe. It would be interesting (albeit impossible) to know how many people are baseball fans because of him.

I'm young enough that I don't really remember baseball before Jr. He'll be missed.

The only thing I remember about baseball before Junior was Chris Sabo's goofy goggles at spring training in 1991. And Nolan Ryan being some sort of machine. I think...I was 4 and a half. Fell in love with Junior around 1992 simply by watching him make amazing plays against my brother's beloved White Sox on WGN. It always sucked as a kid only getting to watch him on tv a handful of times a year, and most of those were tape recorded because they were on tv past my bedtime.

And best of all, because of him he brought me back to being a Reds fan, which is what I was born and bread to be.

[Reds]

He was the best hitter of the 90's.. one of my all time favorite players, even before he came to cincy.

[mlh1981]

I hope history doesn't remember him as the "what could have been?" guy. Lets remember him for what he was--which is, a player who achieved more than 98 percent of Major Leaguers to ever lace 'em up......

By the way, when I went to the Reds game on Sunday, I still see a TON of Griffey shirts/jerseys in the crowd. Random observation......

[Kingspoint]

I'm disappointed he couldn't hold on another 10 days until the REDS get to play in Seattle. It would be the right thing to do if he would play in that 3-game series, and then retires.

[Kingspoint]

Thank you, Junior, for EVERYTHING!

[Vottomatic]

Glad to see him do the right thing instead of force an embarrassing situation.

Great player who's time to hang it up has come.

[Kingspoint]

Junior's numbers are skewered because he really would have dominated if so many hadn't taken steroids.

[Ænima]

It is very hard to imagine the game of baseball without The Kid.

Thanks for all the memories, Junior.

[Kingspoint]

Originally Posted by Kingspoint

I'm disappointed he couldn't hold on another 10 days until the REDS get to play in Seattle. It would be the right thing to do if he would play in that 3-game series, and then retires.

Marty Brennaman just said the same thing.

[sabometrics]

Would have been nice to see him retire after playing the Reds, but this was weeks overdue already. Sad to see him go, and I will always look back and wonder what could have been.

First ballot Hall of Famer in a time where you can't say that about many, and definitely one of the best to ever play the game.