The Forgotten Man

He was once the crowned prince of baseball. He was “The Kid” who would re-write the record books, including Hank Aaron’s “untouchable” home run record. He took less money because he wanted to play for his hometown team. He played with a joy unseen in baseball in the last 25 years and his smile left an indelible mark on the game. All of this describes him pre-2000, but now it is all different. He toils in obscurity on a team probably going nowhere in the 2008 pennant race. A team that was supposed to be the big surprise of the baseball season. The team is the Cincinnati Reds and the man is Ken Griffey, Jr. I was thinking about him the other day and was amazed at how he seems to just float under the baseball radar these days. No longer is Griffey considered a superstar. He is no longer mentioned in the same breath as A-Rod, Pujols, Big Papi, Vlad The Impaler and all the rest. He is now just a good player going through the motions on a bad team. The Reds have been a disappointment this year and it seems to show on The Kid’s face. I was wondering if it is still fun for him anymore. He ’s one of the greatest players of the modern era but injuries have robbed him of what he really could have been. Since arriving via trade to Cincinnati in 2000, it has been a constant struggle for Griffey with injuries. Injuries that have prevented him from possibly becoming the greatest of them all. I still have the image clear in my mind of Griffey chugging around the bases to eliminate the Yankees in 1995 and start a baseball craze in Seattle that eventually led to the building of Safeco Field, the current home of the Mariners. They call that place The House That Griffey Built and it is certainly true. He’d probably be on the way to 800 homers by now if it weren’t for the injury toll. But this is not to feel sorry for Griffey and I’m sure he would not want it any other way. He will soon become the 6th player to reach 600 homers and he is a first ballot Hall of Famer, so shed no tears for The Kid. But just ponder for a moment how often Griffey is thought of these days when the greatest current players in the game are mentioned. It isn’t very often, is it? Considering what he was in his younger days it is ironic that Griffey is often the forgotten man of baseball. This is just a reminder to remember him for what he once was because in due time he will be gone and that will truly be a sad day for the game.