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While it’s true that MLB megastar Ken Griffey Jr. had his most productive (and healthy) years with the Seattle Mariners, he still had time to make an impact with the Cincinnati Reds.
In fact, he hit 210 home runs in Cincinnati: most MLB players don’t get that many during their whole careers.
But Junior was special.
He was one of a kind, and he managed to hit 630 home runs even though injuries hit him hard in his latter years.
On this day, but seven years ago, Griffey got the call of his life.
January 6, 2016: Junior gets the call.
#RedsVault @baseballhall pic.twitter.com/cHVKklr1eP
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) January 6, 2023
With his name present on 99.3% of the ballots, he was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA), as a first-ballot entry.
He was one of those players you knew he deserved to enter unanimously.
He changed the game in the nineties, his swing was imitated by kids and adults alike, and his swagger and confidence made him the most popular player of his time.
Griffey made 13 All-Star Games (1990–2000, 2004, 2007) and took home the 1997 AL MVP award.
He also won 10 Gold Gloves (1990–1999) and seven Silver Slugger awards (1991, 1993, 1994, 1996–1999).
He was named the NL Comeback Player of the Year in 2005.
By then, he was already wearing a Reds uniform.
If injuries hadn’t gotten in the way, we would probably be talking about a fifth hitter with 700 or more home runs.
That’s no knock on Junior’s career, and he is considered one of the greatest power hitters in the history of baseball.
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