| Neema Hodjat. 23rd July, 2009 - 5:34 pm
 Through July 21, 2009, Ken Griffey Jr. is sporting a .211 batting average with 10 HRs and 27 RBI, albeit with an on-base percentage of .327. Doesn't sound like a great season? Sure, he's put up much, much better numbers in the past. In fact, this will qualify statistically as his worst season ever.
However, Griffey is having a terrific season. No, I haven't lost my mind. Consider the following:
Griffey, after nine seasons away from the Pacific Northwest, has come home to the Seattle Mariners and has made an invaluable contribution to the franchise yet again. Last season, the Mariners were a 101 loss team, and not surprisingly, were severely lacking in the team chemistry department. Griffey has been a catalyst for changing the atmosphere within the Mariners clubhouse in 2009, which has contributed to improved player and team performance. The team sits at 49-44 as of July 21, 2009, and remains in the hunt for the playoffs. The Mariners need only 12 wins to match their total wins from the 2008 season.
Whether or not this team reaches the postseason, the giant leaps made by the Mariners this season cannot be denied. The foundation for a winning team must include a winning attitude, and a team that comes off a 101 loss season lacks this. Griffey, with his 20 seasons of major league experience, has helped teach this team how to win and how to have a winning attitude.
The Mariners' success in 2009 comes from several avenues: a new general manager, a new field manager and coaches, and revamped roster have each played a major role in the team's improvement. However, do not underestimate the effect of the leadership and accountability that Griffey has brought into the clubhouse. The team's atmosphere and attitude has transformed a full 180 from last season.
Ichiro, the team's current best player, was reportedly disliked by many of his teammates last season. Such thoughts have disappeared this season, due in large part to the tone set by Griffey in the clubhouse. Last season's walls have been broken down, and the players have once again embraced the concept of being not just a team, but a family. Griffey has been able to connect with Ichiro in a manner that few previous teammates have, and Ichiro, feeling more comfortable than he has in a while, has turned in one of his best seasons ever. Someone with Griffey's stature commands respect from all of his peers.
So, Griffey has returned home and helped improve the attitude and clubhouse atmosphere surrounding the Mariners. But, the real reason why Griffey's 2009 season should be celebrated follows in the answer to this question: when is a stat line of .211, 10 HRs, 27 RBI better than a line of .310, 23 HRs, 77 RBI?
The answer: when the former comes from a player that has performed while clean, and the latter comes from a player that has reached those numbers by using performance enhancing drugs. A 39-year-old player naturally will have declining stats. With age, hairs turn grey, daily nicks and pains become tougher to deal with, injuries nag a bit longer, and swings slow down. With PEDs, you can temporarily cheat the aging process and put up statistics that match those from peak years. Griffey, a certain first ballot hall of famer (note that there are far fewer first ballot hall of famers than we originally thought just a few years ago), should be applauded, as his numbers, while not the best, are real.
Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Manny Ramirez and Rafael Palmeiro put up magnificent numbers throughout their careers. In fact, the numbers were a bit too magnificent, as all cheated to reach their statistical heights. Additional names will most certainly be added to this list.
While no one can say with one hundred percent certainty that any player has been clean throughout his career, I would bet the farm on Ken Griffey Jr. He starred right out of the gate at age 19, continued as the best player in baseball throughout his 20's, and slowed down a bit with injuries as he reached his 30's, as did his numbers. Now, as a 39-year-old, he's still producing, although not nearly like he did in his younger days. But, the beauty of Griffey's season is that he's performing like he's supposed to – like a 39 year old. Griffey, unlike many others, chose not to cheat life's natural aging process. For these reasons, his 2009 season, while not statistically his best, is nonetheless terrific, and should be celebrated.
Neema Hodjat can be reached via email at nhodjat@gmail.com |
