If you’re going to retire a number, might as well retire it in style.
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It’s going to be a weekend full of events as the Seattle Mariners get ready to honor Ken Griffey Jr. and his Hall of Fame career in various ways over the next three days.
Griffey started Friday by raising a No. 24 flag atop the Space Needle that will fly through the weekend, then spent time in the afternoon posing for pictures with Mariners staff next to his Hall of Fame plaque that is on display. I can’t think of a more deserving player than Griffey. Mariners players will wear 24 on their batting practice jerseys pregame, the last time that any player in the Mariners organization, Minor or Major League, will wear the number.
A number retirement is perhaps the greatest tribute a team can bestow on a player, but to retire a number throughout an entire organization takes the respect to a whole new level. They will also get an opportunity to hear from Griffey himself as the Mariners retire his jersey No. 24. His number retirement comes less than two weeks after he became the first player to go into the Hall of Fame as a Mariner. You make us feel like we’re a part of the community. “It’s a weird feeling because of what he’s done and to allow pretty much everyone to play this game. I played baseball. I played center field, ‘” Griffey said. “The fans, the people – I walk down the street and I’m getting high-fives like I just scored again”.
There was one more honor for “The Kid” this summer, and Griffey soaked up every moment.
Mather also announced that the team will construct a statue of Griffey outside of Safeco Field to be unveiled in 2017. Henderson was also the punchline of the parting shot to Griffey’s speech. “It’s been unforgettable”, Griffey said.
“I said, ‘You all did”.
Payton, known as The Glove with the SuperSonics, presented Griffey with a bronze glove.
“Lastly, Rickey – you were the greatest”, Griffey said as he turned toward Henderson sitting behind him.
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And in true Griffey form, he then ended his speech Saturday as you might expect Griffey would.
