KEN GRIFFEY HALL OF FAME SPEECH

Commissioner John “Stray” Corrado’s Introduction Speech for Derek Jeter:

Born George Kenneth Griffey, in Donora, PA.  Nickname: “Junior” or “The Kid”

Buffalo Braves 1997-1998; Tempe Tempers 1999-2000, 2005-2008; Santa Fe Devils 2001; Warfield Cheeseheads 2002; Coconut Creek Crushers 2003; FireLake  Dragons 2004; Northridge Quakes 2005; Pittsburgh Lumber Company 2009; Hollywood Werewolves 2009; Fremont Cannons 2010

Played sixteen years for 10 teams, beginning with the Buffalo Braves. Had two stints with the Tempe Tempers, for whom he made five playoff appearances and two of his five All-Star game starts.

Career stats: .901 OPS, .271 batting average, 1063 runs, 1595 hits, 403 home runs, 1211 RBI, 308 doubles, 33 triples.

His first five seasons (1997-2001) were models of consistent productivity, as he hit .300 in four of those years, and hit 40 or more homers in all five while topping 50 in three of them. He also went over 130 RBI in his first four seasons, tallying 184 in 1999 and 189 in 2000. He was an All-Star in all five years, batting .353 with a .977 OPS in 18 Midsummer Classic plate appearances.

His big-game performance continued in the postseason, where he hit .301 with five homers in five Division Series; in four Championship Series, he hit four HRs, had 13 RBI, and scored nine runs. On the biggest stage of the World Series, he hit .314 with seven HRs, 20 RBI, and 22 hits in 21 games. Lifetime, he drove in 45 runs in postseason play.

It is my pleasure and honor to present the newest member of the MWBL Hall of Fame, Ken Griffey.

KenGriffey2020PlaqueKen Griffey’s Speech:

Thank you very much, Mr. Commissioner. Wow, I can hardly believe I’m standing here before you, with this collection of baseball royalty behind me. It’s the culmination of a lot of dreams, hard work, and determination. And it is an honor to be joining this distinguished group alongside my fellow inductees Jason Giambi, David Ortiz, and Alex Rodriguez

First of all, I want to thank my parents, Ken Sr. and Valarie, who taught me so much and made sure I was the best person I could be. I learned so much from my Dad, on and off the field. Getting to suit up and play alongside him in the majors was a dream come true for both of us. I guess my fate was sealed, growing up in baseball-crazy Cincinnati at the height of the Big Red Machine, and spending a pretty great childhood in and around major league dugouts and clubhouses. And of course, mom sacrificed so much for us, raising us with Dad on the road so much, and kept us focused on the important things.

Of course, it is such a blessing to share this day, and my life, with my lovely wife Melissa, and my kids Trey, Tevin, and Taryn. You make every day a joy.

When you have a career as I had, there are many people along the way who deserve thanks and appreciation. First off, all my teammates, managers, and coaches, and all the people behind the scenes who make the games possible and often get forgotten. I have to thank the owner of the Buffalo Braves, Richard “Wally” Walczak, who drafted me into the league.

Once again, thank you.

Ken Griffey

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