Ken Griffey Sr.
Though he possessed blazing speed as part of the talented "Big Red Machine" outfield in the 1970s, Ken Griffey was at his best with a bat in his hands. He lost the 1976 batting title on the final day of the season, and battled for the title again the following year before fading. An eight-time .300 hitter, Griffey posted a career .296 average, collected more than 2,100 hits, and stoled an even 200 bases in his 19-year career. He lasted long enough to play in the same outfield for the Mariners with his son, Ken Jr., and the pair actually homered back-to-back in the same game.
Played For
Cincinnati Reds (1973-1981)
New York Yankees (1982-1986)
Atlanta Braves (1986-1988)
Cincinnati Reds (1988-1990)
Seattle Mariners (1990-1991)
Best Season: 1976
Factoids
In August of 1973, Ken Griffey collected at least two hits in each of his first four major league games.
The 1976 National League Batting Race
Entering the last day of the 1976 season, Ken Griffey led Bill Madlock by five points in the batting race. Cincinnati manager Sparky Anderson did not start Griffey in the Reds final game against Atlanta in Riverfront Stadium. In Chicago, Madlock and the Cubs faced the Montreal Expos. In the first inning, Madlock dropped down a bunt in front of third baseman Larry Parrish. His next time, up, Madlock pushed a ball in front of Parrish again, beating the throw to first for his second infield hit.
Griffey remained on the bench, but when Madlock stroked a base hit to right field his next time up, Sparky put Griffey in the lineup as a pinch-hitter. Griffey still led Madlock by three points, but when he struck out in the seventh and eighth innings, he lost the title. Madlock added on more base hit, a liner to right field in his final at-bat to finish at .3385. Griffey came in at .3375.
Where He Played
Right field
Born
George Kenneth (Sr.) Griffey Sr. was born on April 10, 1950, in Donora, PA.
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
Primary Position: OF
Primary Team: CIN
Major League Debut
August 25, 1973 ... Batting sixth in the lineup for the Reds, Griffey grounded out in his first major league at-bat, against Rick Wise of the Cardinals. His next time up, facing Tom Murphy, Griffey stroked an opposite field double. He later added a single, and went 2-for-4 in his debut.
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1973
Dave Winfield
George Brett
Dave Parker
Brian Downing
Frank White
Bill Madlock
Frank Tanana
Steve Rogers
Randy Jones
Related Players
Ken Griffey Jr., George Foster, Cesar Geronimo, Bill Madlock
| Hall of Fame Voting |
| Year |
Election |
Votes |
Pct |
| 1997 |
BBWAA |
22 |
4.7% |
|
Post-Season Appearances
1973 National League Championship Series
1975 National League Championship Series
1975 World Series
1976 National League Championship Series
1976 World Series
Awards and Honors
1980 ML AS MVP
Notes
In 1976, from September 12-27, a stretch of 13 games, Griffey batted .455 (25-for-55), vaulting in front of Bill Madlock in the NL batting race. But when Madlock went 4-for-4 in the last game of the season, while Griffey went 0-for-2, Griffey lost the crown by one point.
All-Star Selections
1976 NL
1977 NL
1980 NL
Replaced
In 1974, Griffey and George Foster shared right field. In 1975, when Pete Rose was switched to third base, Foster moved to left, and Griffey had right to himself. He remained the Reds' strating right fielder for six seasons, until Cesar Geronimo was traded, which resulted in his switch to center.
Replaced By
After playing a very good center field and having a great season for baseball's winningest team in 1981, the Reds traded Griffey to the Yankees. There must have been more to the trade tha meets the eye. The Reds got two disappointing prospects in return. They replaced Griffey with veteran Cesar Cedeno.
Best Strength as a Player
Speed, and ability to beat the ball into the ground.
Largest Weakness as a Player
Despite being a thick-muscled man, for much of his career, Griffey did not hit many homers. That changed a little after he was dealt to Atlanta and he pulled the ball. It's either that, or his below-average throwing arm.
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