Ken Griffey, Jr.'s 600th Home Run: Major Milestone or Mild Disappointment?

With Ken Griffey, Jr. four home runs shy of 600, his career is being scrutinized now more than ever.

He has 20 seasons under his belt, and little left for debate.

Griffey spent the first 11 years of his career with the Seattle Mariners, where he put up some of the most staggering numbers seen in baseball history. 

In 2000, Griffey returned to his hometown of Cincinnati where he was greeted with a king’s welcome. Coming to a team with such great traditions as the Reds (a team his father played for in the 1970s) seemed important, not only to him, but to the city of Cincinnati.

Baseball was alive and well again in the ‘Nati.

He brought 398 home runs, 1,742 hits, and 10 gold gloves with him.

Many would dream of putting up career numbers like those. He was just getting started. 

After numerous injuries and inconsistent play, Ken Griffey, Jr. is now on the verge of hitting 600 home runs. 

Many have argued that his career has been a disappointment with his struggles in Cincinnati. Still, others have sworn that Griffey is the greatest player to don a professional baseball uniform. 

I tend to agree with the latter. 

And I can prove it, too. 

In his 20-plus seasons, Griffey has 596 home runs, 2,574 hits, 1,712 RBI, and is a career .290 hitter.

That’s just the beginning.  

He also has 13 All-Star appearances and 10 gold gloves, as well as one All-Star game, Major League, and AL MVP awards. 

His home run total is good for sixth all-time, RBI good for 19th (second among active players), and he is third among active players in runs scored.

If those numbers are disappointing, I’d love to hear the argument. 

Now I know you could argue that the numbers could be even higher if it weren’t for his drop in productivity since his arrival in Cincinnati. 

Point well taken. 

But it’s unfair to penalize a guy for being hurt.  Unfortunately, injuries are a part of any sport. Just ask Cal Ripken, Jr.

And it's not the Hall of Fame-caliber numbers that are most impressive. 

It’s how he achieved the numbers that gets me.

This is a guy who has been loved, respected, and admired by coaches, teammates, and fans everywhere he’s been. 

That’s saying a lot in today’s culture of sports. 

He has been a positive influence in the clubhouse, on the field, and in the community as well. In 2006, he even switched his number from "30" to "3," in honor of his three children.

Even putting all that aside, it’s still not the most impressive part of his career. 

I think you know where I’m going with this.

He’s done it the right way. 

With seemingly everyone wearing a baseball uniform—both current and former—being linked to steroids, human growth hormones, or God knows what else, Griffey’s name hasn't even been whispered. 

No rumors, no speculations, no wild, extravagant stories.

Nothing. Silence. 

Even Jose Canseco is speechless. 

If you are one to agree with the other side of this argument, I understand. Really, I do.  

You probably also love those noisy NFL wide receivers, club house divas, and those flashy athletes who leave little to be desired off the field and in the locker room.

But with all that said, the numbers, the longevity, even the way he’s done it isn’t the best part of being a Ken Griffey, Jr. fan. 

What I’ll take away from Griffey’s career is that he was a father and husband first, a role model second, and a superstar athlete third. 

When I have kids, and they get involved in sports, I’ll show them Ken Griffey, Jr. “This is how you do it, son." 

"This guy was one of the most talented players I’ve ever seen with my own eyes. But he also did it the right way.  He worked hard, was a leader on his team and in his family, he gave it his all.” 

To me, having Ken Griffey, Jr. as a role model for my future kids is why I think he’s a heck of a guy.

In baseball, numbers mean everything.  And he’s got the numbers.

But to me they mean nothing.