Junior Griffey Swings In To History

Ken Griffey, Junior has forever inscribed his name in the annals of history after sending his 600th career home run to its normal right field landing strip.  Junior becomes just the sixth person in the history of Major League Baseball to reach the 600 home run plateau behind Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays and Sammy “Say It Ain’t” Sosa with a first inning, two-run bomb off of Florida Marlin Mark Hendrickson.  Unfortunately the landmark home run came in front of a mere 12 fans at Dolphin Stadium in the last game of an extensive eight game road stand and had he waited just one more game, he would’ve had nine straight home games to reach 600 in from a larger, more appreciative home crowd starting tomorrow.

There is something to be said for Junior’s success with the recent injury-plaugued seasons he’s had to go along with the advent of the “Steroid Era” in baseball — a movement Griffey’s name has NEVER been linked to.  I fully attribute Ken’s growing list of injuries to both his years spent on the carreer-shortening Astroturf in Seattle as well as him being presumably steroid free throughout his career.  I would love to know where Junior would be on the all time home run list had he’d stayed healthy his entire career as I firmly believe he would be sitting somewhere between 650-675 career home runs and on pace to possibly challenge Barry Bonds at the top.

Griffey is as much of a class act as there comes and a rare talent with the sweetest swing we may ever see.  I feel nobody in Major League Baseball right now deserves this accomplishment more than #3 and my congratulations go out to Donora, Pennsylvania’s own Ken Griffey, Junior.

Baller’s 2008 SEC Football Preview: Alabama Edition

Editor’s Note: Discuss this article NOW over at ACC vs. SEC! – Baller’s AVS Official 2008 SEC Preview: Alabama Edition

2007 Record- 7-6 (4-4)
Returning Starters- 17 (9-Offense, 6-Defense, K, P)

Players To Watch Out For: JPW, Terry Grant, Andre Smith, Antoine Caldwell, Rashad Johnson, and Rolando McClain

Key Losses: DJ Hall, Keith Brown, Simeon Castille

2008 Strengths: The offensive line is a veteran unit and should open many lanes for Terry Grant and hold the protection for 3 year starter JPW.

2008 Weaknesses: The defense lost many of its play-makers and will take some lickings during the early part of the season, but should hold up nicely due to plenty of stars in the past few recruiting classes. WR is also a huge concern as no substantial experience returns, but this concern is quickly thrown out the window once Julio Jones steps on the field.

2008 Overview: Due to a hard SEC road schedule and neutral site game with Clemson, the tide might see a regular season at 6-6 again. But with the core of players Saban is going to be returning in 2009, the Tide will not see 6-6 after 2008 for a long time.