Recovering from his latest knee surgery in October, Ken Griffey Jr. is anxious to begin spring training and get the 2010 season started. After re-signing with the Mariners in November for a one-year deal worth up to $2 million, Griffey returns to the dugout for another season with an uplifting attitude and a bounce in his step (almost literally).
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In his first season with Seattle since 2000, Junior hit .214 with 19 homeruns and 57 RBIs. Most notably, though, Griffey provided a clubhouse presence that was unmatched and essentially led the Mariners to one of the biggest one-year turnarounds in franchise history.
To maximize Griffey’s potential and impact on the squad, he will need to maintain this positive attitude as well as focus on production at the plate. Although his numbers were particularly “down” last year in comparison to starting Designated Hitters around the league, it would be hard to argue that signing Griffey last season was a bad move.
Not many expected Junior to return to his MVP form (much like he was during his first stint with the M’s), but rather saw the move more as a marketing ploy with improved fan involvement.
Health was a vital facet in Griffey’s game last season, as well as past ten years, restricting him to participate in only 117 games. The active home run leader in baseball had his knee drained repeatedly in 2009, and was often seen with an ice pack attached to his leg.
However, Mariners trainer Rick Griffin is stating that Griffey is “better now than he was at any time last year.” Griffin goes on by saying that the M’s designated hitter has lost about seven pounds since his last surgery, which is exactly what the club is looking for.
Now that the Kid is healthy and anxious to get started, expectations are raised not only individually, but also from a larger perspective as the team contends for a division title. No question, Griffey is the team leader; our team captain; Mr. Mariner.
His attitude and performance will be one of the major factors that this team’s success is based upon. It will certainly be a stretch that we’ll get the 1998 Jr. who led the league in homers. So long as he has the confidence and swagger from that era, then perhaps our hopes will be complacent as he demonstrates the offensive pragmatism he’s capable of.
Reach Jacob Kehle at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
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