Dear Ken Griffey Jr.
I don't see any of these roid-raged out players doing anything like this!!
It's never been cool for black kids to play baseball. Yeah, there were Little League teams all over the place and everyone went to Modell's to get their gloves and baseball bats. Sure, the MLB is trying to ramp up their initiatives to offer baseball in minority neighborhoods. At the same time, I've yet to hear a young black kid say 'I want to play baseball when I grown up'. It's always something to the tune of basketball player, football player, rapper or any profession offering a hefty paycheck. You could blame the lack of interest on a number of things: cost of equipment, lack of space for baseball fields, etc. But there's one reason, to me that makes minority kids not be as interested in baseball: no identifiable role models. When you name the top 10, 20, or however many best baseball players, how many of them are black and of American (rather than Hispanic) descent? I can name a bunch of black baseball players, but besides Jimmy Rollins & Ryan Howard, who of them are household names? This is why you were so important Ken.
Junior (crazy that I can call someone else that), in your heyday you were probably the most recognizable face in baseball. Between winning the 1997 American League MVP, blasting the best home run (home runs aren't that impressive; sorry...) I've ever seen, and trying to follow in your father's footsteps, your career just oozed greatness and integrity. You made it cool to like baseball, wearing backwards caps at a time when such a fashion statement could be seen as gang-related. Hell, you made baseball sneakers a fashion statement! (word to Ron & Yusuf with their Griffeys) I think what impresses me the most about you is that in the era of baseball players juicing left and right, you accomplished every feat on the diamond without so much as touching a needle. In this day and age, when all of the greats from the 90's and early 2000's are shuffling, trying to cover up their steroid use, you're cleaner than baby's bottom. Where other baseball players were in court lying their asses off, you were chilling, probably practicing rather than taking shortcuts. In my eyes, that's a role model for young black kids. That's reason enough to like you.
It's funny that I wasn't sports conscious enough at the beginning of your career, but still recognize your name and the impact that you had on the game. It's the same way that kids today have never seen Michael Jordan play basketball, but know immediately who he is and how he changed the game (overpriced sneakers et. al.). I'm not sure that your legacy will be comparable (honestly, who really is messing with MJ's reach?). Even so, on the baseball diamond, where black players have lost the enigmatic aura that guys like Willie Mays, Hank Aaron & Reggie Jackson had, you'll forever be remembered as the golden boy of this era. Happy retirement, Junior...
Come on, son... The charisma was incredible