Indeed, I feel lucky to have had him as someone to look up to in sports when I was a kid. He played the game the right way, with fun & humility. Credit his parents too, they raised a wonderful man.
I have to agree with the both of you and I will double down on what Sean said. I feel amazingly fortunate to have grown up and watched his whole career. I remember when he left the Mariners I thought for sure he was going to go to my Atlanta braves but I was still happy for him to go to where he wanted
As a lifelong Yankee fan, the two sweetest swings I've seen in my opinion, were Darryl Strawberry, and "The Kid" Ken Griffey, Jr. Junior is one of my personal favorites of all-time. Power, speed and a cannon of a throwing arm...Ken Griffey, Jr hands down is one of the greatest baseball players to ever play the game. The Yankees losing in 1995 to Mariners doesn't change that.
If it had not been for those nagging injuries, Griffey Jr. would probably ended up with 750 home runs, nearly 5000 hits, and batted well over .330 average. He would have won a lot more gold gloves too. His playing style is similar to Willie Mays. He was just a terrific baseball player.
@@jayelbee1111 5,000? you must have meant 4,000, which is still way off. If he had stayed healthy he would have ended up with around 800-815 home runs, 3,350 hits and a .295 career batting average. Not sure where you got .330 batting avg at either considering he never once batted over .330
In his prime he was the greatest hitter I've ever seen. Every at bat you felt like there was a 50/50 chance of a home run. He had one of the best arms on an outfielder I've ever seen. He made some of the greatest catches I've ever seen. He was also a speed demon on the bases. He was also a beloved teammate. Best all around baseball player ever.
@@MarshallHendrix-nx2gg he stole 167 bases in 13 years in Seattle got caught 60 times. He stole 17 bases in cincy got caught 9 times. That is NOT a f#&ing "speed demon" kid.
John Doe exactly. This is a perfect example of a hall of famer. No cheating, just had fun playing the game, played hard, and put up incredible numbers.
The happiest day of my life was when I watched the player and legend that made me love the game reach Cooperstown, Griffey will always be the best of all time for me.
He is the G.O.A.T!!! He was the greatest player to ever play the game and I cherish the few times I got to go to Seattle and watch him play. Truly an amazing human being and well deserving of this honor. My 1989 KG Jr Upper Deck rookie card is still the best card I own.
Griffey defined baseball in the 90's and was the face of the game from 1990-2000. From the highlight reels, to the merchandise, to magazine covers, and countless memories from fans across the baseball world, it didn't matter if you were a Mariners fan or a Reds fan, everyone loved Junior and still love him to this day. I still remember as a Cards fan that Father's Day afternoon home run Griffey hit off of Matt Morris to reach the 500 mark. A standing ovation from the 45k+ in attendance at Busch Stadium, Griffey Sr. in the stands watching proudly. There will never be another Griffey Jr.
Ken Griffey jr. Was my hero growing up I admired him I collected all those cards I have his rookie card and he was an inspiration to me he is truly one of the greatest people of all time not just on the field but off the field thank you for being my hero my man
i teared up watching this as a mariner fan and a baseball player and a baseball fan i wasnt alive untill 2001 but watching all old mariners highlights and movies griffy inspired me and so many others.
Griff was my favorite player growing up in Louisiana. And now I see many more reasons why he is loved as a superstar. Great American and really had the most beautiful swing of all-time. Sweet and Low KGJ
I remember growing up in the 90s and him always always smiling having the most beautiful swing anybody has ever seen. He is so humble and embodying what sportsmanship and baseball is all about.
Thank you Ken Griffey Jr. for everthing you done in baseball. I loved watching you play. I stood behind the batting cage in 1998 two hours before game time watching you hit 20 home runs in a row. I will always hear the crack of your bat. Congratulations to you Ken ( the kid ) #24 for ever!!! Cooperstown Inducted July 24, 2016
I clap every time at the end when he puts on the hat backwards does not matter where I am at or what time it is. I was lucky to have seen him play on tv and once in person. I wish there was a player with half of his charisma playing today to be the role model for the future ball players.
I was at this induction for my 40th birthday. It was better than I could have imagined. I grew up as an Idaho baseball fan and Ken Jr. represented the Pacific Northwest as King. Nice work Kid, you made me cry. Best baseball player ever.
Growing up in Spokane in the 90s and having a role model/hero like Griffey to watch everyday was what helped me become the man I am today. My father told me if I worked hard like him, then anything is possible and always to remember of you have fun at what you do then you will never work a day in your life Damn proud to see this man represent the Seattle Mariners in the Hall of Fame
At 15:35, that heartfelt message about Jay Buhner...truly two of the best teammates in Mariners history. Oh, and guaranteed 80-90 home runs a season between them.
The king of seattle our king of baseball did it right did it along time and never one bad comment on this man's name in the era of steroids. Thank u Ken Griffey the king jr
He is an amazing athlete and person. Most exciting player to watch. If he didn't get injured making incredible catches in the outfield, he would have broken HR record without any steroids!
The last true great hitter besides Pujols, I look forward to seeing him up on that podium someday too. I was in awe watching Griffey play. Unbelievable talent.
As a kid i would draw pictures of Jr in a pirates uniform hoping he would come back home. The first time i ever got to see him was 10 rows behind the plate at the 1994 homerun derby. I love that moment was special to him as it was to all us national league kids who didnt get to see him play early in his career. Im sad we never will know what could have been had 94 played out. Getting that 1989 upper deck card #1 was that most prized possesion a young boy of 10 could have in those days... i never got mine until i was a 36 yr old kid with a box of unopened 1989 packs. Thank you for playing the game the way you did.
And at last, it hath come to pass!!! Edgar joins Junior today, Jan. 22nd, 2019, as the second member to have played "True to the Blue," all of his career, to enter Cooperstown. #MarinersHOF
Anyone miss the days when KGjr, 23 and The Great One were running rampant? Throw in Tyson and in 97’ a young prodigy named Tiger and nostalgia overload occurs.
Lifelong Mariners fan here…born in 1983, before Junior was part of the Game. I am honored to have had the Kid as part of my team. A real class act. I was sad the day he went to Cincinnati, but I did not like him any less because of it. I will ALWAYS be a fan of the Kid.
Writers did you dirty by not voting you in unanimously. Greatest to ever play the game right here! Whoever said no should have all their credentials revoked.
Talk about natural TALENT.. Griffey was a JOY TO WATCH.. He played baseball the right way without STEROIDS.. IF he had stayed healthy, he would've NO DOUBT passed Aaron.. What a GREAT GUY!! Pure Class...
In 1994 I caught Ken Griffey Jr's 160th Career Homer and it might be the last or second to the last homer he hit in 1994 before the All-Star Break in July. he hit it off of Edwards in KC and it put the Mariners up 3-2 in the top of the 8th. My 2 young sons were with me in Right Field and I had been to at least 100 Royals games before that day. I was a big Royals Right Field Roudy in the late 70's. I had never took my glove into the Stadium and my Sons told me to bring it. That homer was a line shot and I was going down the Isle"Excuse me, excuse me, Excuse me, SMACK!!!". It actually hurt my hand. The crowd started yelling for me to throw the ball back on the field. I said "You'll have to take this Ken Griffey ball out of my cold dead hands". I still have that ball somewhere. I put it in a Plexy Glass case soon after. The boys and I tried to hunt Mr. Griffey down after the game, which they won 3-2, and try to get his autograph on the ball. We were unsuccessful. If nobody believes me I'm sure there's Edwards finger prints still on the ball; maybe even some DNA. He was a great player and he wore the same number as my favorite player when I was a kid, Willie Mays and I was a Dodgers Fan. I know that doesn't make any sense..:) P.S. to bad that was the strike year, because he was on a pace to break the Roger Maris record of 61 homers in a season at that time. I think Jr. had broken the record of the most homers before the All-Star break. I might have that record ball. I think that was the last game before the break. Hm?
@@kingdingaling2469 My wife moves stuff around all of the time. Just have to look in a stack of containers. The ball and VHS tape from a Kansas City news channel is with it.
I got to watch him play from his rookie year, when I was just 6, until he retired. It’s crazy how many of the best times with my Dad were at games, or just hearing Dave Niehaus call a Jr. home run or amazing catch in the background as we spent time together. Well, except when I found out he was cheering a Griffey homer on his AM radio while I was rounding the bases on my first homer and he didn’t actually see me hit mine. Haha, love you Dad.
This man is the best representative of the game. He's what makes the game so great, not just for his talent but his modesty and humbleness.
Indeed, I feel lucky to have had him as someone to look up to in sports when I was a kid. He played the game the right way, with fun & humility. Credit his parents too, they raised a wonderful man.
I have to agree with the both of you and I will double down on what Sean said. I feel amazingly fortunate to have grown up and watched his whole career. I remember when he left the Mariners I thought for sure he was going to go to my Atlanta braves but I was still happy for him to go to where he wanted
Also how close he is with his father and kids, just a great role model athlete.
And he will always be The Kid. If you aren't having fun, you aren't playing baseball
He was Raised by Great Parents!!!!
Hard not to tear up along with him. Congratulations Ken Griffey Jr.
PhillyPhill "the kid"
Just saying
Even Ken Griffey Jr Can Get Emotional Like The Rest Of Us
Ended it with the backwards hat. Absolutely perfect.
yes.. the only thing to top it... if he woulda said something about him having the sweetest swing in Seattle...
That's A Typical Griffey Trademark
Wow - what a moment!!
It doesn't matter who you're favorite team is, everybody loves the kid
I refuse to give this a like out of respect for the 24 you have
100% agree
I'm a lifelong Dodger fan but the Kid is my all-time favorite player
4 dislikes? Must of been the 95 Yankees.
8 now....on 5/2/2020 at 2:35pm pacific time.
Yankees fans respect the real ones
As a lifelong Yankee fan, the two sweetest swings I've seen in my opinion, were Darryl Strawberry, and "The Kid" Ken Griffey, Jr. Junior is one of my personal favorites of all-time. Power, speed and a cannon of a throwing arm...Ken Griffey, Jr hands down is one of the greatest baseball players to ever play the game. The Yankees losing in 1995 to Mariners doesn't change that.
I agree 100% ...wait, the Yankees are my team... Dang it.
@matsalvatore9074
Fortunately we seldom lose.!!
Yankee fan forever.
Greatest baseball player of all time. 630 home runs and he was injured the last half of his career.
Amen to that. The most natural beautiful swing in the history of the game.
He could had atleast a 100 more but injuries killed it. Still great player.
If it had not been for those nagging injuries, Griffey Jr. would probably ended up with 750 home runs, nearly 5000 hits, and batted well over .330 average. He would have won a lot more gold gloves too. His playing style is similar to Willie Mays. He was just a terrific baseball player.
@@jayelbee1111 5,000? you must have meant 4,000, which is still way off. If he had stayed healthy he would have ended up with around 800-815 home runs, 3,350 hits and a .295 career batting average. Not sure where you got .330 batting avg at either considering he never once batted over .330
I respect Griffey more now than ever.
In his prime he was the greatest hitter I've ever seen. Every at bat you felt like there was a 50/50 chance of a home run. He had one of the best arms on an outfielder I've ever seen. He made some of the greatest catches I've ever seen. He was also a speed demon on the bases. He was also a beloved teammate. Best all around baseball player ever.
He was not a speed demon on the bags albeit he was no slouch.
Man he was the 🐐
@@erichvonmanstein6876 Bro he was fast as lightning lol. He would steal second and then steal third no problem before his injuries.
@@MarshallHendrix-nx2gg BWAAAAAAHHHH HA HA HA HA no, he wasn't and no, he didn't. Who told you that dumb s#it?
@@MarshallHendrix-nx2gg he stole 167 bases in 13 years in Seattle got caught 60 times. He stole 17 bases in cincy got caught 9 times. That is NOT a f#&ing "speed demon" kid.
This man belongs in the conversations with the great ones of all time like Ruth, etc.
Griffey SR and JR are a class act!
Truly deserving, should have gotten 100% of the ballot...
Who even voted no?
@@jordanholstein8023 probably salty Yankees homers who were still mad about 1995
630 HRs and not juiced. Real inspiration, real player, real role model. Everything about him is real.
The guy that could play without being juiced
natural talent
Amen to that brother
John Doe exactly. This is a perfect example of a hall of famer. No cheating, just had fun playing the game, played hard, and put up incredible numbers.
John Doe I was so hurt as a kid to see that 😢 I loved that Seattle team my goodness they was deep... wish they stayed together
Well said.
This is one of the most genuine things I've seen.
Backwards cap at the end. I love it
My All Time Favorite Player!!!
He was the real deal. Pure talent with trained skills. He didn't need anything from a vile. Best of a generation.
Griffey and Frank Thomas are my favorites both in the hall of fame congrats Ken Griffey Jr
Same here man, id add kenny lofton to that list but def the hurt and griff
Amen
They both on my team in the show 2021
That ending tho! So awesome how he ended it with the backwards cap! Congrats, Jr.
I even cried when he mentioned his father. Fathers are very essential in a young boys life (and girls).
The kid. He was the man in the 90’s. I idolized him and remember batting lefty replicating his swing. It was a thing of beauty
The happiest day of my life was when I watched the player and legend that made me love the game reach Cooperstown, Griffey will always be the best of all time for me.
One greatest Center fielders of my generation
Greatest baseball player I’ve ever seen. Flawless swing, outstanding glove, speed, arm. Beautiful player
He is the G.O.A.T!!! He was the greatest player to ever play the game and I cherish the few times I got to go to Seattle and watch him play. Truly an amazing human being and well deserving of this honor. My 1989 KG Jr Upper Deck rookie card is still the best card I own.
Griffey defined baseball in the 90's and was the face of the game from 1990-2000. From the highlight reels, to the merchandise, to magazine covers, and countless memories from fans across the baseball world, it didn't matter if you were a Mariners fan or a Reds fan, everyone loved Junior and still love him to this day. I still remember as a Cards fan that Father's Day afternoon home run Griffey hit off of Matt Morris to reach the 500 mark. A standing ovation from the 45k+ in attendance at Busch Stadium, Griffey Sr. in the stands watching proudly. There will never be another Griffey Jr.
Griffey was one of the best that ever played the game...
Such a classy man and gifted athlete saw him play high school and the left fielder and right fielder played on the lines
Ken Griffey jr. Was my hero growing up I admired him I collected all those cards I have his rookie card and he was an inspiration to me he is truly one of the greatest people of all time not just on the field but off the field thank you for being my hero my man
Good idol, he attempted suicide and was able to overcome that and become a symbol for perseverance
i teared up watching this as a mariner fan and a baseball player and a baseball fan i wasnt alive untill 2001 but watching all old mariners highlights and movies griffy inspired me and so many others.
Griff was my favorite player growing up in Louisiana. And now I see many more reasons why he is loved as a superstar. Great American and really had the most beautiful swing of all-time. Sweet and Low KGJ
no steroids .. no show .. no fighting .. this man was my hero growing up .. and im still sitting here crying watching this video in 2021 wwg1wga
Favorite player of all time. It was a joy to watch him play baseball.
I wanna know how .7% of the ballots didn't have this man first year
KDS HAWKFAN me to
KDS HAWKFAN who knows man. Shame on those assholes’ who didn’t vote this guy
Guaranteed three New York writers looking down the road a couple years at Mo.
It's a travesty!
probably people that considered him averaging a 0.6 WAR a year the final ten years of his career not worthy of being the first 100%
Always was one of my favorite players growing up! Love you Kid!❤👍
This man saved my life. True story
Epic. Glad you’re still here
I wish he got the ring. My favorite player growing up.
I remember growing up in the 90s and him always always smiling having the most beautiful swing anybody has ever seen. He is so humble and embodying what sportsmanship and baseball is all about.
greatest player to ever play the game. no peds needed. best swing ever seen. true class.
I was in the audience there that day. Hot day but two great speeches and was so proud of Junior. One of the all-time best.
I agree with Junior on Edgar Martinez, He does belong in the Hall of Fame with Junior. Great speech.
If Albert Pujols Does Get Inducted I Hope Pujols Picks The Cardinals Since That's Where Pujols's Career Began
Thank you Ken Griffey Jr. for everthing you done in baseball. I loved watching you play. I stood behind the batting cage in 1998 two hours before game time watching you hit 20 home runs in a row. I will always hear the crack of your bat. Congratulations to you Ken ( the kid ) #24 for ever!!! Cooperstown Inducted July 24, 2016
Ken griffey jr!! Congratulations 👏 Well deserved! One of my All time favorites
I clap every time at the end when he puts on the hat backwards does not matter where I am at or what time it is. I was lucky to have seen him play on tv and once in person. I wish there was a player with half of his charisma playing today to be the role model for the future ball players.
The Kid did it the right way and had the greatest swing ever!
I was at this induction for my 40th birthday. It was better than I could have imagined. I grew up as an Idaho baseball fan and Ken Jr. represented the Pacific Northwest as King. Nice work Kid, you made me cry. Best baseball player ever.
My favorite player of all time. The greatest baseball swing ever!!
Class act this wonderful and unbelievable all around player Ken Griffey Jr was, a legend for all times, best ever!!
Growing up in Spokane in the 90s and having a role model/hero like Griffey to watch everyday was what helped me become the man I am today.
My father told me if I worked hard like him, then anything is possible and always to remember of you have fun at what you do then you will never work a day in your life
Damn proud to see this man represent the Seattle Mariners in the Hall of Fame
At 15:35, that heartfelt message about Jay Buhner...truly two of the best teammates in Mariners history. Oh, and guaranteed 80-90 home runs a season between them.
Favorite player of all time. Wish Cincinnati could of had him his whole career.
The GOAT. Not a better player has ever played. I’ll argue that until the day I die.
The king of seattle our king of baseball did it right did it along time and never one bad comment on this man's name in the era of steroids. Thank u Ken Griffey the king jr
Griffey is the Goat of our generation. Thanks Ken❤️👍🏾
Camden, NJ locked in as always & Junior is the epitome of what A baseball player is suppose to be 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿!!!
Back to back homers with Dad! I can't think of a cooler baseball moment.
He is an amazing athlete and person. Most exciting player to watch. If he didn't get injured making incredible catches in the outfield, he would have broken HR record without any steroids!
Ken Griffey Jr & Freddie Freeman are 2 of the classiest human beings to ever walk onto a baseball field
I had the same High school coach as he did. God bless coach Cameron! Boy he was a firecracker.
Mike Cameron was a real great grinding player.
Favorite baseball player of all time
The GOAT
I've never met Jr. but met his Father eons ago and I like him and his Son. Good men, both of them.
Hoped he would've broke the Homer record instead of jackass Bonds. Junior is class.
turtle19dad you mean juice ass bonds
Ah found the hater section
Ken Griffey - the best bb player I ever saw
#80sbaby90sraised
Best player (along with Trout) of my generation. 5 tools and class. His dad did a great job
is it wrong that i cried to this 😢😭
derrick ingram who could watch it and not? if so, they arent human!
Its hard to watch and type cuz its so powerful.
What comes from the heart reaches the heart
@@jvq3616 I'm not crying either, but it's still deep and I respect those who did, including Griffey.
GOAT of baseball to me and many of us
We love you Jr. You're the best.
The last true great hitter besides Pujols, I look forward to seeing him up on that podium someday too. I was in awe watching Griffey play. Unbelievable talent.
JR. Had one of the sweetest swings EVER!! Just a thing of Beauty!! And he wasn’t bad with the leather either!!
Greatest Baseball player of my (Gen x) generation.
The backwards hat, that smile, the awesome back to back homers with Sr. against the Angels, Thanks for the memories Jr.
As a kid i would draw pictures of Jr in a pirates uniform hoping he would come back home. The first time i ever got to see him was 10 rows behind the plate at the 1994 homerun derby. I love that moment was special to him as it was to all us national league kids who didnt get to see him play early in his career. Im sad we never will know what could have been had 94 played out. Getting that 1989 upper deck card #1 was that most prized possesion a young boy of 10 could have in those days... i never got mine until i was a 36 yr old kid with a box of unopened 1989 packs. Thank you for playing the game the way you did.
88cutty I tried and tried to get that card. I opened over 10 boxes and nothing. Congrats on THE card.
EDGAR MARTINEZ FOR THE HALL OF FAME!!!
AROD2287 yanks fan here
But for sure! Edgar was incredible!
NeoNitty yeah me too
And at last, it hath come to pass!!! Edgar joins Junior today, Jan. 22nd, 2019, as the second member to have played "True to the Blue," all of his career, to enter Cooperstown.
#MarinersHOF
Well he did it!
Damn I'm crying my eyes out!!!
Cezer TheGreat same bro. Not even a Mariner fan but always loved this guy ever since I played Ken Griffey Jr game for N64
Same here in 2021..
Anyone miss the days when KGjr, 23 and The Great One were running rampant? Throw in Tyson and in 97’ a young prodigy named Tiger and nostalgia overload occurs.
Such a great role model for fathers and all men alike
The best swing baseball has ever seen
💪🏿💯💪🏿
🗣️BARRY BONDS .>🎤⚾🧢
There will never be a greater player than his dad.
One of my favorite players ever loved watching him play growing up
켄 그리피주니어는 제가 메이저리그를 본 이래로 가장 멋있는 중견수였습니다. 타격도 수비도 뭐든게 멋있었던 위대한 야구선수.Respect the Kid
How dare Apple interrupt this speech with an ad respect a legend u money grubbers
HeWhoIsN8 J I got GMC
I live in Mexico and it was for wix
At 15:37 when he talks about Jay Buhner....truly a great friendship and one of the only guys who really understood and could influence Jr.....
Saw this in person. Priceless.
wow
Lifelong Mariners fan here…born in 1983, before Junior was part of the Game. I am honored to have had the Kid as part of my team. A real class act. I was sad the day he went to Cincinnati, but I did not like him any less because of it. I will ALWAYS be a fan of the Kid.
Writers did you dirty by not voting you in unanimously. Greatest to ever play the game right here! Whoever said no should have all their credentials revoked.
My all time favorite player.
Tremendo pelotero un verdadero salón de la fama .
Talk about natural TALENT.. Griffey was a JOY TO WATCH.. He played baseball the right way without STEROIDS.. IF he had stayed healthy, he would've NO DOUBT passed Aaron.. What a GREAT GUY!! Pure Class...
All the greats love the kid and they were there to give him the love he deserved
i feel his power on his speach i understand his heart
Love this guy like my favorite hitter of all time
What A CLASS ACT!!!!!
If you grew up in the 90’s, it’s hard not to say Griffey JR was your favorite athlete. Either him or Michael Jordan.
I was the biggest Ken Griffey Jr. fan as a kid. Still a huge fan as a 48 year old man.
This man part my childhood
im here because "Ken Griffey Jr. Presents Major League Baseball"
The greatest!!! I love you ken!! God bless you and your family. Your swing has helped my swing.
In 1994 I caught Ken Griffey Jr's 160th Career Homer and it might be the last or second to the last homer he hit in 1994 before the All-Star Break in July. he hit it off of Edwards in KC and it put the Mariners up 3-2 in the top of the 8th. My 2 young sons were with me in Right Field and I had been to at least 100 Royals games before that day. I was a big Royals Right Field Roudy in the late 70's. I had never took my glove into the Stadium and my Sons told me to bring it. That homer was a line shot and I was going down the Isle"Excuse me, excuse me, Excuse me, SMACK!!!". It actually hurt my hand. The crowd started yelling for me to throw the ball back on the field. I said "You'll have to take this Ken Griffey ball out of my cold dead hands". I still have that ball somewhere. I put it in a Plexy Glass case soon after. The boys and I tried to hunt Mr. Griffey down after the game, which they won 3-2, and try to get his autograph on the ball. We were unsuccessful. If nobody believes me I'm sure there's Edwards finger prints still on the ball; maybe even some DNA. He was a great player and he wore the same number as my favorite player when I was a kid, Willie Mays and I was a Dodgers Fan. I know that doesn't make any sense..:) P.S. to bad that was the strike year, because he was on a pace to break the Roger Maris record of 61 homers in a season at that time. I think Jr. had broken the record of the most homers before the All-Star break. I might have that record ball. I think that was the last game before the break. Hm?
It had to be the last homer he hit in 1994. I wonder if that record still stands?
@@kingdingaling2469 My wife moves stuff around all of the time. Just have to look in a stack of containers. The ball and VHS tape from a Kansas City news channel is with it.
thats amazing man time of ya life
Thank you for sharing! Your attitude and these kinds of stories is what makes baseball great. Lots of love from Germany!
I got to watch him play from his rookie year, when I was just 6, until he retired. It’s crazy how many of the best times with my Dad were at games, or just hearing Dave Niehaus call a Jr. home run or amazing catch in the background as we spent time together. Well, except when I found out he was cheering a Griffey homer on his AM radio while I was rounding the bases on my first homer and he didn’t actually see me hit mine. Haha, love you Dad.
Such a beautiful person.
Only father and son to hit back to back Homer's.