2nd
Here’s to… Baseball
As we come upon a new season of the greatest game in the world, I have been getting really excited about it. With echoes of steroid corruption in the back of all of our minds, we try to get past the stain players are leaving on America’s greatest pastime. As A-Rod will be in the spotlight virtually every time he trudges to the plate this year, we must not forget about the exciting moments that will be displayed by those who have not done steroids.
World Baseball Classic starts on march 5th and is baseball’s version of the World Cup. 16 countries get together in 4 different locations and start play for the right to call their country the best in the baseball world, at least for 4 years. Japan is the reigning champion from 2006 where they beat the cinderella cuba team at Petco Park in San Diego, home of that triple team that plays there, i believe they are called the Padres? I am not actually sure if they are going to have a team anymore, its tough to when you suck so bad. USA and our fans were shocked when we went 1-2 in the second round losing to Korea, Mexico (BLLLAAAAHHH), and beating Japan on a controversial call that unfairly took a home run away from the men who hail from the land of the rising sun. The US is looking to rebound and make a statemnet this year, that our game has not pased its own creators up.
Ken Griffey Jr. is making his way back to the team where he spent his first ten year, the Seattle Mariners. This may not be a big deal to many people, but to most he is more respected than any other player. Since I was six and played my first year of T-Ball wearing the assigned number 24, playing for our version of the Mariners, Junior has been my favorite player. his laid back, smiling image has always appealed to me as I as was, hit left-handed. Growing up, I always tried to perfect that smooth as silk swing he has that by body language shows the pitcher after hitting a 400 foot bomb, “Yes, I am better than you.” Junior, who has never been part of any thought, or speculation regarding performance enhancing drugs, after ten years of his career asked for a trade to the Cincinnati Reds because of family reasons. this seemed to be Junior’s kiss of death. he broke into the big leagues at the age of 19, and left the M’s at 29. In this time he had serious potential to become the greatest player that ever played the game. He hit 398 home runs by the age of 29. he was on pace, if he could stay healthy and avoid injury, to break the all-time career homerun record set by Henry (Hank) Aaron who hit 755. think of the next ten years, Jr. could have had 800 by the age of 39!!!!!! Sadly, Jr. started getting hurt. he had new injuries year in and year out, and was only able to play limited games until now. As junior recently passed the 600 hr mark, it is not likely he can beat the new record set by the steroid infested Barry Bonds, who may have suffered similar injuries to Jr. if he had not taken steroids. It is a known fact that many players roid up while trying to heal from injurues or surgery to get back to the game faster. Even the respectable Andy Pettite took roids to make a quick comeback from injury. So this year is to Ken Griffey Jr., the greatest players who may have ever lived, if he had not become injury prone, and his late, but new start with Seattle. I hope he hits 50 homers the next three years and smashes Bonds ego. Screw the Giants.
Finally, The Dodgers.
Now i was not expecting to focus much on Jr. Griffey this post, but, i did, so i will start a new post about my beloved team.
