SEATTLE MARINERS

Groz: M’s — and Seattle — captured lightning in a bottle with Griffey

Jun 22, 2020, 12:19 PM

We’re still without major professional team sports in America, so instead it’s the “season of the documentary,” according to 710 ESPN Seattle’s Dave “The Groz” Grosby. On Sunday, it was Ken Griffey Jr.’s turn.

Gallant: The Seattle sports versions of Tom Brady in a Bucs jersey

The latest documentary was the MLB Network’s “Junior,” which was, of course, about the life and career of the first player to go into the Baseball Hall of Fame with a Mariners cap on his plaque. The program covered the many highs and lows Griffey encountered in baseball, and as you might be able to guess, most of the highs came in Seattle.

You can’t tell the whole story about Griffey without covering the period after he left Seattle, however, which came about when he requested a trade from the Mariners to go home to Cincinnati. He spent eight-plus seasons with the Reds, but that tenure was filled with injuries, and only three of his 13 All-Star nominations came during his time in the National League.

In this week’s Just A Minute, The Groz breaks down how the Mariners were actually fortunate to part ways with Junior when they did, and the reasoning he sees for why Griffey’s body broke down while with the Reds.

For more on Griffey and the documentary, check out this piece from Mariners insider Shannon Drayer.

Follow 710 ESPN Seattle’s The Groz on Twitter.

More Mariners and baseball coverage from 710Sports.com

How Mariners second-rounder DeLoach unlocked his ‘pure left-handed swing’
Mariners’ African-American players telling their stories at a critical time
Gallant: How did it feel when Griffey and other Seattle sports stars left town?
Mariners third-rounder Kaden Polcovich has work ethic, drive and tools
Mariners draft: Superlatives for all six selections from 2020 MLB Draft

Mariners Roof Report

Brought to you by
Sunny
High 62° | Low 43°
No game today.

Seattle Mariners

Seattle Mariners...

Zac Hereth

Seattle Mariners Takeaways: Stellar pitching leads, offense finding a way

A look at three things going on with the Seattle Mariners as they look to continue their hot play on the upcoming road trip.

18 hours ago

Seattle Mariners Mitch Haniger...

Tim Booth

Mariners fall short of sweep as Sale helps Braves win 5-2

Chris Sale allowed one run over five innings and struck out nine, and the Atlanta Braves salvaged the final game of a three-game series with a 5-2 win over the Seattle Mariners.

19 hours ago

Seattle Mariners Dylan Moore Braves 2024...

Cameron Van Til

Mariners notebook: Dylan Moore’s defense, Polanco’s hitting

Utility player Dylan Moore once again showed his value for the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday. Plus, is Jorge Polanco about to turn a corner?

22 hours ago

Seattle Mariners base general...

The Associated Press

Family of Microsoft executive Brad Smith joins Mariners ownership

Microsoft vice chair and president Brad Smith and wife Kathy Surace-Smith have purchased a stake in the Seattle Mariners, becoming just the third additions to the team’s ownership group since 1992.

23 hours ago

Seattle Mariners Luis Castillo...

Brent Stecker

Mariners Breakdown: Pitching Ninja on ‘absolute legendary stretch’

The Seattle Mariners have had 18 straight games where their starting pitcher has allowed two earned runs or less. The Pitching Ninja breaks down why the staff is so special.

23 hours ago

Seattle Mariners second baseman Jorge Polcano...

The Associated Press

Castillo, Polanco lead Seattle Mariners past Atlanta Braves 3-2

Luis Castillo throws seven shutout innings, Jorge Polanco hits a two-run home run and the Seattle Mariners win their fifth straight series.

2 days ago

Groz: M’s — and Seattle — captured lightning in a bottle with Griffey