If Sunday was Ken Griffey Jr.’s last game as a member of the Seattle Mariners, maybe even as a baseball player, then it was a fitting celebration for the man who helped save a moribund franchise and turn it into the modern Mariners we know today.
Whether it was the numerous standing ovations he received – the final one after he was lifted from the game after hitting a single in the eighth inning, causing him to bite his lip and fight back tears – the countless hugs that were given to him that did cause him to weep, or being carried on the shoulders of his teammates around Safeco Field, it all seemed perfectly surreal.
“A whole lot of love,” he said, his eyes still red from tears. “A whole lot of feeling of support, I don’t know how to describe it. It’s unbelievable.”
He wasn’t the only one feeling that emotion.
“In all the years I’ve been in this game, I don’t know if I’ve ever been as emotional as when Griffey came off that field and into the clubhouse,” Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu said.
It’s hard to quantify what Griffey did for the Mariners. In his first stint, from 1989 to 1999, he made baseball cool and relevant in Seattle. In his return, he brought back a sense of place and history, and a leadership presence that had been missing.
Sure, his on-field production wasn’t spectacular. He hit .214 in 387 at-bats, with 19 homers and 57 RBI. He led the team in walks with 63 and had a .324 on-base percentage. It’s not the type of production a team wants from a designated hitter.
But everybody associated with the Mariners insisted Griffey’s contributions went beyond the field and into the clubhouse.
“I really thought there would be a degree of leadership that Kenny would bring,” Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said. “We thought he would be somewhat of an offensive producer for us. But what he did in that clubhouse, and what he did with his presence, I think goes beyond what any of us expected.”
Griffey made Wakamatsu’s job as a rookie manager much easier, policing the clubhouse while still keeping the team loose.
“Its amazing after all he’s done in this game, it seems like it’s the first game every day he steps on that field,” Wakamatsu said. “He has fun. He’s infectious to his teammates, he’s such a breath of fresh air, and again when you go through a tough series or a blown save, he’s in there smiling the next day and it helps maintain that levity.”
Still, while Sunday’s postgame celebration and Griffey’s tears made it seem like it was a farewell, he was non-committal on his future. He’s never said he’s retiring, and he’s never said he’s coming back.
“I have to go back, talk to my family and find out what’s best for all of us,” Griffey said.
Family is important to Griffey. During the season, he caught a charter flight home to see his son play football, and he had oldest son, Trey, accompany him on several road trips.
“I have a 15-, 13- and 7-year-old. Those are big reasons,” Griffey said when asked about reasons not to come back. “But I think they were OK with it. Trey really liked it because he traveled with me and things like that. But to not come back, I don’t have a reason. I have no reason not to.”
It wasn’t exactly a decisive statement. Now the feeling is growing that he would like to return. And he offered some minor hints.
“A lot of it is just the direction the team is going,” Griffey said. “With Jack and Don, I think it’s going to be a lot of fun for years to come. Whether I’m in the plans or not, I think the people of Seattle should be very proud of what we accomplished this year and look forward to spring and hopefully we can do a little better.”
That’s the other thing to consider – whether or not the Mariners want him back. From a public relations standpoint, bringing him back is a good thing. Perhaps Griffey didn’t bring the huge crowds some expected, but he certainly helped maintain the attendance in the midst of a failing economy.
Fans, for the most part, want him to return. Chants of “one more year, one more year” echoed around Safeco on Sunday.
Wakamatsu admitted it would be difficult to replace the leadership Griffey brought to the team.
However, from a purely baseball standpoint, it might not make sense to bring him back in his current role. His production was far below that of the top designated hitters in the American League. And after the team’s offensive struggles, Seattle can ill afford to miss production from a power spot like the designated hitter.
Realistically, the best scenario for the Mariners to bring Griffey back would be if he took on a lesser role with the team, a role similar to that of fellow veteran Mike Sweeney. Griffey would play two to three times a week at DH, and come off the bench as a pinch hitter.
But would a first-ballot Hall of Famer want to be the 25th man on a 25-man roster?
Griffey has played the game at its highest level and been one of its best competitors. How could he suddenly be willing to be a bench player? And why would he miss that time away from his family to be a bench player?
Many decisions have to be made by both the Mariners and Griffey before they make the ultimate decision on his return. Until they do, it’s best to just enjoy and remember the return for what it was.
“They gave me a chance to do something I wanted to do, which is come back,” Griffey said. “I can’t thank the organization enough for that.”
Ryan Divish: 253-597-8483
ryan.divish@thenewstribune.com
blog.thenewstribune.com/mariners
A LOOK AT THE MARINERS’ ROSTER
Pitchers
NamePosBat/thwAgeHt.Wt.2009 salary
David AardsmaRPR/R276-4205$419,000
What’s next: He stands to get a bit of a raise this offseason. An absolute steal of a trade, Aardsma will be the closer again next season.
Miguel BatistaRPR/R386-1208$9,500,000
What’s next: Likelier he’ll write a best seller than return to the Mariners. He’s a free agent and will look for team where can have a bigger role.
Chris JakubauskasRPL/R306-2215$400,000
What’s next: A solid find from independent leagues, he’ll probably compete for the long relief role again next season.
Cesar JimenezRPL/L245-11218$405,000
What’s next: Spent almost the entire season on the disabled list with arm issues. Has an outside chance of making bullpen.
Shawn KelleyRPR/R256-2215$400,000
What’s next: A surprise in spring training, he emerged as a solid late inning setup man. He’s got a spot in the bullpen as long as he’s healthy.
Mark LoweRPL/R266-3210$418,000
What’s next: Cemented his role as the eighth-inning setup man. However, his stuff and success make him a possible trade chip.
Randy MessengerRPR/R286-6265N/A
What’s next: A late season call-up, Messenger has a decent fastball, but not much of a place in the Mariners bullpen.
Sean WhiteRPR/R286-4210$400,000
What’s next: Shoulder problems cut his breakout season short. A versatile reliever, he’s got a spot in the bullpen as long as he’s healthy.
Erik BedardSPL/L306-1200$7,750,000
What’s next: The odds of him coming back weren’t great, but season-ending labrum surgery seals the deal. Won’t be ready by spring training.
Brandon MorrowSPR/R256-3195$425,000
What’s next: Morrow is now a starter and there’s a spot in the rotation for him next season if he continues to progress.
Ryan Rowland-SmithSPL/L266-3240$420,000
What’s next: One of the Mariners’ best starters in the second half of the season, he’s locked in to the rotation for next season.
Doug FisterSPL/R256-8185N/A
What’s next: A nice late-season surprise, Fister’s got an outside chance of making the rotation in 2010
Luke FrenchSPL/L246-4220$400,000
What’s next: French struggled after being acquired from Detroit and was moved to the bullpen. Will try to vie for a spot in the rotation.
Felix HernandezSPR/R236-3225$3,800,000
What’s next: Seattle hopes to lock him up – $25 million a year is a possibility. He’ll probably get a large bump in salary in arbitration.
Garrett OlsonSP/RPR/L256-1205$420,000
What’s next: He came to the team as a starter and pitched his way into the bullpen but had some success and will probably stay a reliever.
Carlos SilvaSPR/R306-4250$12,250,000
What’s next: Under contract for two more seasons, so Mariners will to try and salvage some value from him.
Ian SnellSPR/R275-11198$3,000,000
What’s next: The Mariners have him under contract for two more years and he should be a part of the starting rotation.
Jason VargasSPL/L266-0215$405,000
What’s next: The Mariners like his poise, his offspeed pitches and his command. Not overpowering, but he’ll compete for last spot in rotation.
Catchers
NameBat/thwAgeHt. Wt.2009 salary
Kenji JohjimaR/R336-0205$7,666,666
What’s next: He’s owed $8 million for 2010 and 2011. He has no real trade value or he’d have been traded long ago.
Rob JohnsonR/R266-1215$400,000
What’s next: He’s back if for no other reason than he’s Felix’s personal catcher. Expect his defense to improve.
Adam MooreR/R256-3220N/A
What’s next: Seems like catcher of the future, but he’ll probably start next season in Triple-A Tacoma, unless they trade Johjima or Johnson.
Infielders
NamePos.Bat/thw.AgeHt.Wt.2009 salary
Adrian Beltre 3BR/R305-11222$13,400,000
What’s next: It’s doubtful that Beltre returns. Ideally, he’d prefer to play in Southern California and in a place more hitter friendly than Safeco.
Russell Branyan1BL/R336-3230$1,400,000
What’s next: Had a breakout season and wants to come back to Seattle, but he also wants a multiyear deal and at least $7 million a year.
Mike Carp1BL/R236-2215$400,000
What’s next: Showed a little pop and an outstanding eye at the plate, but another year in Tacoma will probably be necessary.
Jack Hannahan3BL/R296-2210$410,000
What’s next: The Mariners like his glove and his versatility. His hitting could improve, but he has a chance to make the team as a bench player.
Jose Lopez2BR/R256-0205$2,250,000
What’s next: Put up career-best numbers but still a liability on defense. A position change could be in his future or the Mariners may trade him.
Matt Tuiasosopo3BR/R236-2225$400,000
What’s next: Elbow surgery derailed his season, but his late-season callup was productive, and he showed the Mariners he can play second base.
Jack WilsonSSR/R316-0200$7,250,000
What’s next: We never really got a chance to see him at his best. Mariners must decide if they want to pay his $8.4 million club option.
Josh WilsonSSR/R286-0175$420,000
What’s next: Midseason pickup who became a valuable contributor in final months. The Mariners love his versatility and defensive skills.
Outfielders
NamePos.Bat/thw.AgeHt.Wt.2009 salary
Endy ChavezLFL/L316-0170$2,050,000
What’s next: He’ll be a free agent, but season-ending knee surgery has put his future in doubt and he may not be ready by spring training.
Franklin GutierrezCFR/R266-2190$455,000
What’s next: He had a breakout season and is one of a handful of Mariners who knows he has a starting spot for years to come.
Bill HallLFR/R296-0210$6,925,000
What’s next: Under contract for next season, but the Brewers will pick up most of his $8.4 million. He doesn’t have a role with the team yet.
Ryan LangerhansLFL/L296-3211$505,000
What’s next: He’s probably not an everyday outfielder, but he’s a good fourth outfielder who can start for extended periods and be serviceable.
Michael SaundersLFL/R226-4205NA
What’s next: The tools and the talent are there, but has some holes in his swing. Not quite ready to be an everyday big leaguer.
Ichiro SuzukiRFL/R355-11172$18,000,000
What’s next: Most likely it’s another season of 200 hits. This season seemed to rejuvenate his spirit toward baseball and his teammates.
Designated hitters
NameBat/thw.AgeHt.Wt.2009 salary
Ken Griffey Jr.L/L396-3230$2,000,000
What’s next: Does he want to come back? Do the Mariners want him to return? Expect plenty of speculation for the next few months.
Mike SweeneyR/R366-3225$500,000
What’s next: A great clubhouse guy and leader, he’s a decent pinch hitter and part-time DH. But those talents may not be enough.
Ryan Divish, The News Tribune
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