Ken Griffey Jr.?

Question

in my opinion hes the greatest baseball player ever.despite his injurys i still think hes on pace to hit 700 homeruns.just imagine where he would be right now if he didnt have those injurys.

What is all of your opinions on this?

Answer 1

I am a big Ken Griffey Jr. fan. When healthy he is the best out there period. I do believe he would be up there in home runs. When he is done he probably have around 700 home runs.

Answer 2

Bound for the Hall? Yes.

Greatest ever? No. Baseball is results-oriented, and Junior couldn't produce any value while on the DL time and again.

I never find a lot of use in the "what if?" game, because if we give back Griffey his many lost games, we also give them back to Thomas (2001, 2004, 2005), Bonds (1999, 2005), Williams (military service, some injuries), Winfield (1989), Blyleven (1982, 1991), and many others -- and it's not likely Griffey would be standing at the top of that list, either. Way up high, yes, but not at the top.

Give McGriff back complete 1994-95 seasons and he's over 500 homers and people think much more warmly of him. (Note, I would not give back strike or lockout time, because that's something that happened to all players and to which they either consented or were prepared to endure. But Crime Dog seems particularly screwed by this. Winfield, with his one missed season and both the 1981 and '94-95 strikes recovered, probably reaches 500 HR also, but since he's already got a Hall plaque there doesn't seem to have been a problem; his career already has achieved its best destiny.)

Answer 3

The key to becoming a true great is being able to avoid injuries. Griffey certainly had great tools and athleticism, but for some reason his legs have not been able to withstand an entire season in recent years. I know he has sustained other injuries which can be attributed to his inspired play. I am not blaming him for his injuries. Some people have even suggested that years in the Kingdome banished away some of his abilities. Others have gone as far as to suggest that he is not vigilant enough about conditioning. He is one of the greatest I have seen, but where he ranks in history is always going to be limited by his lack of time on the playing field. I would say Griffey's career is very similar to Mantle. Mantle's championships separate him from many, but those were some great Yankee teams. Griffey has never had that kind of talent around him outside of a brief window in Seattle.

Answer 4

I agree he would have been if not for those PERSISTANT injuries. What a class act. In the 90's he was every kid's favourite. (I know he was mine) I even talked to my friend about this not too long ago. A-Rod is in the same area Jr. was at the same time frame and may be even a little farther (I don't want to look it up right now). But Griffey has something about his character. So I'm hoping he can help regain anything lost to cheaters and I know all along the way I will cheer for Griffey right beside you.

Answer 5

Griffey Jr. is one of my favorite players ( I'm a Reds fan) but I don't think he is the BEST. He still is really good!! I agree that if he wouldn't have had all these injurys he probably would be farther up on the homerun list. (Like breaking his thumb while wrestling with kids on the "family yacht".)

Answer 6

One of the greats, yes, definitely. The greatest, no. It is unfortunate that the injuries cost him so much time. He would have been one to break Aaron's record. I am not sure if we will play long enough to get to 700.

Answer 7

I agree, he's in the top players of all time. He's always been one of my favorites.

Answer 8

i agree. he's my favorite, and in my opinion, best baseball player i've ever seen play.

Answer 9

agree i love JR he is my favorite i tape my bat just like him!! holla

Answer 10

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