In the Tony Gwynn thread Stever remarked on how Griffey may go down as one of the most under-appreciated players in history. I didn't want to hijack the thread and memory of a deceased legend so I figured it'd be best to make a new one.

Anyway, Griffey appears to be an amazing case study of a guy who tried to get by in his entire career on talent alone. During those years with the Reds he appeared to have gained at least 30 pounds, and the proof was in his diminished range in the OF and his constant nagging injuries (he seemed to pull his hamstring every month).

Through Age 31 (12 seasons): An amazing 73.8 WAR
After Age 31 (10 seasons): An astoundingly terrible 3.3 WAR

But here's how great he was in those first 12 seasons. That 73.8 WAR is only .4 less than Derek Jeter has compiled in his entire 20 year career.

Sidebar: Mike Trout is not quite 23 and has already compiled 26.2 WAR, which is basically 1/3 of Griffey's career total.

Griffey's period of 93-00 may match up with anyone's 8 year period just about. Really only the 95 season where he broke his wrist was he not incredible. In those 8 years to include 95- he averaged 44 homers and a 6.8 WAR. in his 4 full seasons from 93-97- he was no worse than 2nd in WAR(and 3 of the 4 he was #1.). Just think a lot of folks remember so much how he ended and not as much how incredible he was mid to late 90's.

Really you have to wonder- if he doesn't go to Cincy- do things change for him.

(06-27-2014 12:26 AM)stever20 Wrote:  Griffey's period of 93-00 may match up with anyone's 8 year period just about. Really only the 95 season where he broke his wrist was he not incredible. In those 8 years to include 95- he averaged 44 homers and a 6.8 WAR. in his 4 full seasons from 93-97- he was no worse than 2nd in WAR(and 3 of the 4 he was #1.). Just think a lot of folks remember so much how he ended and not as much how incredible he was mid to late 90's.

Really you have to wonder- if he doesn't go to Cincy- do things change for him.

don't blame Cincy, blame his laziness. Do you really think he would have worked harder had he stayed in Seattle?

one thing- NL has no DH AL does- so maybe he doesn't play the field as much later on. Also- who knows about the quality of the medical staff in each team. Also, going to Cincy- he had a lot of pressure being that's where his dad played.

(06-27-2014 08:14 AM)stever20 Wrote:  one thing- NL has no DH AL does- so maybe he doesn't play the field as much later on. Also- who knows about the quality of the medical staff in each team. Also, going to Cincy- he had a lot of pressure being that's where his dad played.

those could certainly have played a role, but they're what-ifs. The certainty is that he let himself go and it seriously affected his ability to stay on the field

(06-27-2014 01:35 PM)flyingswoosh Wrote:  

(06-27-2014 08:14 AM)stever20 Wrote:  one thing- NL has no DH AL does- so maybe he doesn't play the field as much later on. Also- who knows about the quality of the medical staff in each team. Also, going to Cincy- he had a lot of pressure being that's where his dad played.

those could certainly have played a role, but they're what-ifs. The certainty is that he let himself go and it seriously affected his ability to stay on the field

I'll never forget when the Reds pulled off the trade to bring Ken "home" and it was euphoric for Reds fans. I still have an unopened box of Wheaties with Ken, Jr. on the cover in his new Reds uniform. Aside from his superstar status, it was a great "feel good" story for baseball since his father played for the Reds and Ken, Jr. grew up in Cincinnati playing baseball. I believe his first year with the Reds was injury free and he made the all-star team and finished with decent numbers. After that, each year became an exercise in futility with a string of horrible injuries and disappointments. I believe three years in a row he essentially missed one half or more of the regular seasons with major injuries and one injury involved his hamstring completely separated/detached from the leg bone. His decline was probably due to a number of factors (some previously mentioned) and I'll add age, wear and tear on his body and just some pure bad luck. If he could have played a few more of his Reds years healthy and productive no telling what his final career numbers could have been. I hold no ill-will toward Ken and he'll be heading to the MLB Hall of Fame for an outstanding baseball career overall. Plus, he did this without allegations of PEDs!