Optimism about Junior’s much anticipated return to the Seattle Mariners may have just been crushed. According to a news source close to Braves officials, free agent Ken Griffey Jr. has supposedly agreed to terms with the Atlanta Braves. David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution is also reporting that Griffey and Braves general manager Frank Wren met Monday night in Orlando. Wren and Griffey’s agent were apparently scheduled to meet this afternoon to finalize a deal.
An official announcement has not yet been made by either parties. It is believed that both the Seattle Mariners and the Braves made similar offers to try and lure the outfielder.
As of now, it looks as though Griffey will be sharing the left field position will Matt Diaz. Even though Griffey who just turned 39, is coming off of serious knee surgery, his bat against right handed pitchers may be more valuable to the Braves than we think.
On April 4, 2008, Ken Griffey, Jr. passed Reggie Jackson for 16th on the all-time list after driving in his 1,702nd RBI. Two days later, in an 8–2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies, Griffey hit his 594th career home run and his first of the 2008 season. The two-run homer pushed him closer to becoming the sixth player in history to reach 600-home runs.
More to follow….
I was very excited when I thought last week the Griffey was coming back to Seattle, and now i feel betraid AGAIN by Griffey that he’s choosing another team other than ours, his birthplace of baseball. I though Griffey would be an icon in Seattle as he goes into his retirement but i think this will be the final straw for all of Seattle. This is my final goodby to our wayward child Griffey, see if Atlanta remembers your name in 5 years.
Jim