Chronic Injuries Robbed Ken Griffey Jr. of Homerun King Title

"Pitching is the art of instilling fear" (Sandy Koufax). These are the words Sanford ¨Sandy¨ Koufax believed in, and strived towards throughout his entire Hall of Fame baseball career. Through his impeccable talents on and off the field, Sandy was able to engraft the characteristics of trust, loyalty, and determination into all of the hearts of those who watched him. Sandy Koufax was the most influential baseball player of the 1960s, because he had a lot of experience with the game of baseball since he was young, he had a great impact on the people who watched him because of his actions, and he helped pave the way for the game of baseball to become even better.

Jules Tygiel certainly spent a lot of time writing about the importance of Jackie Robinson and the influence he had on and off the baseball diamond in his novel, Baseball’s Great Experiment. Before reading this novel, I considered myself to be

Even though celebrities do not personally know all of their admirers, they can serve as an inspiration for many of their followers. For some, the connection with a star may be forged at a very young age; that was the case with me. Since I can remember, I have looked up to Ernie Banks. The success story of Ernie Banks, which resulted in him going down in history as one of the best to ever play the game of baseball, was improbable. However, his impressive accomplishments on the field are not what inspire me.

Arguably one of the greatest baseball players in the history of the game, Barry Bonds is most widely known as the all-time homerun leader in Major League Baseball. Over his 22 year career, he hit more homeruns than anyone, and was also one of the most widely hated players in baseball. The way that Barry carried himself was unique, and the league’s viewers made him out to be something that he wasn’t. At times he was even disrespected by his own teammates and coaches, something a player should never have to go through.

We all know the story about Jackie Robinson, but many do not know about who made his MLB career. Branch Rickey was the most important man in the Jackie Robinson era. Not only because he was the manager of the Dodgers who signed Jackie, but also because he was a pivotal civil rights speaker. His actions as a manager made him famous because he signed the first black baseball player in the MLB. However, his actions as a person are much more notable.

However, Jackie’s first year playing changed this. Jackie Robinson was one of the most important people in the history of baseball, and probably in the history of American sports. Everybody in uniform at the Tampa Bay Rays game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park wore the number “42” as Major League Baseball celebrated its fifth annual Jackie Robinson Day.

He has also been recognized by the MLB, and they have set an annual day for his achievements. The players have to wear the number fourty-two in honor of Jackie (Sullivan). Jackie has made a huge impact on today’s society. Him having courage and fearlessness made him be able to stand up for blacks in the Civil Rights

Rickey was identified as one of the games greatest pioneers. Rickey changed the game of baseball because of his opposition of the color barrier. Since Rickey was a very successful man in the league for being manager of the Cardinals, Dodgers, and Pirates he was elected in to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Not only will Rickey go down in sport history but also in American History because of the modest career in sport’s management.

George Kenneth "Ken" Griffey, Jr. (born November 21, 1969), nicknamed "Junior" and "The Kid", is an American former professional baseball outfielder who played 22 years in Major League Baseball (MLB) for three teams (1989–2010). He spent most of his career with the Seattle Mariners and Cincinnati Reds, along with a short stint with the Chicago White Sox. A 13-time All-Star, Griffey was one of the most prolific home run hitters in baseball history; his 630 home runs rank as the sixth-most in MLB history. Griffey was also an exceptional defender and won 10 Gold Glove Awards in center field. He is tied for the record of most consecutive games with a home run (8 games, tied with Don Mattingly and Dale Long).[1]

However, life was not all homeruns and success; it was full hardship and troubles that came with being naturally talented and the prize of the game. Personal hardships, a fiery temper, and dealing with success took its toll on this great player and you have to wonder what his career could have been without all his struggles. Even so, he reigns as being the greatest player of Major League Baseball history.

Growing up poor in the Dominican Republic, struggling through the minor leagues in an unfamiliar country, and ultimately finding success as a late-inning hero for the Boston Red Sox . And helping his team make the greatest comeback in sports history by winning the 2004 World Series. In 2006 he broke the team record with 54 home runs and started the All-Star game for the third straight year in 2007. Along the way he shares his hard-won wisdom, sidesplitting laughs from the clubhouse, thoughts about his famous teammates and opponents, and some remarkably candid opinions.Big Papi is an unforgettable story about a sports hero that will have readers cheering with every page. David Ortiz has averaged more than 43 home runs and 131 RBIs as a member of the

In 1927, Babe Ruth and the New York Yankees changed the face of baseball by setting numerous records and being arguably one of the greatest baseball teams of all-time. Behind the outstanding play of Babe Ruth, teammate Lou Gehrig was also performing at an amazingly high level but was shadowed by Ruth’s legendary season. Lou Gehrig’s play that season started to declined though due to his concern for his mother while she was in surgery. “His heart wasn’t in the game. All he could think about was his beloved momma” (Bryson 778). And with Lou Gehrig’s decline that season, the spotlight was on Babe Ruth and his legendary season that players today cannot even match.

"The past should be left in the past, otherwise it can destroy your future." These are wonderful words which we should all strive to live by. But letting go of a regrettable past is difficult for even the strongest among us. For members of the 1960 New York Yankees, the World Series of that year is still the most disappointing memory any of them can recall. And while vivid mental pictures of a bad-hop grounder hitting shortstop Tony Kubek in the throat, the Clemente chop, which landed between two undecided fielders and the unforgettable sight of Yogi, his back to the camera, watching helplessly as Bill Mazeroski 's homerun sails over the left field wall, are all etched in the mind of everyone who witnessed these mind-boggling

The Kid. Junior. The silky smooth left-handed swing that you could watch all day. 630 home runs. Range. 10 Gold Gloves. 13 All Star appearances. Ken Griffey.

Ken Griffey Jr. is a well-known name in the world of Major League Baseball. Before the Seattle Mariners traded Griffey Jr. to the Cincinnati Reds, he was an absolute phenomenal baseball player. Since being traded, he has been nothing but disappointment to the Reds organization. The following is a dialogue between the two members in an online community at ESPN.com.