Today, June 2nd, 2010, is a day I will remember forever. Today my childhood hero, Ken Griffey Jr. retired from the Mariners and the game of baseball.

It’s funny how things can be, you know? When I was a kid, my dad would take me to the Kingdome to watch the Mariners and Junior play. We lived three hours away from Seattle so this was something that I got to do maybe once a year or so. It was a special treat. Coming to Seattle became a special treat. Many kids think about what they want to be when they grow up. I thought about where.  Would we still have come up here if Junior wasn’t here? Who knows, I suppose.

I played a lot of backyard baseball as a kid. I was always the top of the order. Cora, Martinez, Griffey, Buhner. It was always bottom of the ninth. The game was always on the line. I didn’t always win but sometimes I did and sometimes I won by cheating.

I know it sounds dramatic and a little ridiculous, but as someone who is as crazy about baseball (especially Seattle baseball), it feels like a part of me died today. He’s the greatest player I’ve ever had the pleasure to see play. There will never be another Junior. I will miss him.

Thanks for being such a big part of my childhood Junior.