In case you have not heard, Ken Griffey Jr. is headed back to Seattle after eight seasons with Cincinnati and one with Chicago.  1989, Jr.’s rookie season, I was 12 and totally into baseball.  I acquired five rookie cards of his that year and could not think of anyone else I wanted to emulate more than Ken Griffey, Jr.  I was playing on my little league team that won the city championships and then joined the all-star team that won state and took 3rd in regionals.  I was consumed by baseball and loved to watch Griffey play.  As I grew up, so did Jr. and it was tough to watch him go after 11 great seasons.

Seattle has not been that great of a sports town over the years.  In fact, we have not seen too many hall of fame players call our city home.  Ken Griffey Jr. is a bonafide hall of fame player and not only did he play with us for 11 years, but he has made the decision to come back home.  Who does that anymore in sports?  I for one am excited that we have an aging (39) year old player signed to play left field for the M’s this year.  I don’t care if he doesn’t produce HR’s and RBI’s the way he used to when we were watching him in the Kingdome.  I don’t care if he won’t be robbing home runs from over the center field wall.  I just can’t wait to watch #24 take the field once again as a Seattle Mariner.  For those of you who follow baseball, the following is well known to you.  For the rest of you, I won’t bore you with the details of why the following play is one of the greatest plays in all of Seattle sport’s history.  Thank you Dave Niehaus for this brilliant call:

Right now, the Mariners looking for the tie. They would take a fly ball; they would love a base hit into the gap and they could win it with [Griffey] Junior’s speed. The stretch and the 0-1 pitch on the way to Edgar Martinez; swung on and lined down the left field line for a base hit! Here comes Joey! Here is Junior to third base, they’re going to wave him in! The throw to the plate will be…LATE! The Mariners are going to play for the American League Championship! I don’t believe it! It just continues! My oh My! – Dave Niehaus

It is a rare day when we get to say “well done” to the Mariner front office, but today, I say THANK YOU for bringing back the Kid.  If there ever was a time to spend some serious coin on a Mariner’s jersey, this would be the year.  I can not wait to see #24 trotting out there down at The Safe.  The one question I have is what will his music be as he comes up to bat?  Will it be “Hip Hop Hooray” – Naughty by Nature like it was during the magical 1995 season?

Welcome back Ken.  Welcome back to the house you built.  Call me, let’s catch up!