VIDEO: This Ken Griffey Jr. Highlight Reel is What Every MLB Fan Needs Right Now
By Will Coleman
31 years ago today, Ken Griffey Jr. made his major league debut with the Seattle Mariners to jump-star his eventual Hall of Fame baseball career. People remember The Kid for playing with passion, never giving up on himself in the outfield, and having one of the smoothest swings we've ever laid eyes on. There's no denying Griffey Jr. is one among the greatest to ever play the game, and this clip of his highlights should have MLB fans salivating as they await baseball's return.
Ken Griffey Jr. and his signature swing debuted in MLB 31 years ago today ? pic.twitter.com/rWIATtwdvx
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 3, 2020
The entire video demonstrates how easy baseball came to Griffey Jr. Laying out for fly balls in the outfield, climbing the fence to rob home runs, and of course that effortless swing that put him in elite company as one the sport's most accomplished hitters.
Can't comprehend how big of a deal The Kid was when he busted onto the scene? This interaction with basketball legend Michael Jordan pretty much sums it up for you.
Michael Jordan asked Ken Griffey Jr. for his autograph, and then gave him the jersey off of his back and signed it for Griffey. This is legendary. pic.twitter.com/CVqdmCztW1
— ShitBallPlayersSay (@baseballshit) April 1, 2020
Griffey Jr. ended his 21-year pro career playing for the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago White Sox, in addition to the Mariners. He's one of just nine MLB players to hit at least 600 career home runs, and was immortalized in Cooperstown in 2016.