Shizelbs
500+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2004
- Posts
- 868
- Likes
- 13
Friday night, my best friend and I went to the first game of Ken Griffey Jr's triumphant return to Seattle. We've had the tickets for well over a month now. This had been a much anticipated event. The local media is calling last nights game THE social event of the season for Seattle.
It was one of the most amazing baseball experiences I've had. The only other night that tops this is going to the 1993 All Star game in Baltimore, but last night, for a normal mid season non-rivalry game, was incredible. I knew it beforehand, and its been reaffirmed since, but I would have deeply regretted missing this game had I not gone. We got to the stadium about 2 hours before the first pitch. There were at least 15,000 already waiting to get into the stadium. I've never seen that before at a baseball game.
Our first stop was the Mariner's team store. Before the series, Griffey had autographed 1000 specially marked baseballs issued by Rawlings celebrating his return. They all had a special logo stamped onto them, and all proceeds from the $100 balls went to benefit children's hospitals in Seattle, Cincy and Orlando. Long story short, I got the last one there. Everyone there was waiting to buy a ball. I honestly am suprised that they weren't gone before then. He only signed 1000 of them. Then we go to our seats, watch Jr. take batting practice, and I get the last ball sold by one of the merchandise vendors on the concourse. Lady luck was on my side that night. Out of 1000 balls, I got two!
So, game time approaches. Well before the first pitch, the stadium is at capacity. The Mariners had a pregame ceremony for Griffey. There was the typical video montage highlighting all the incredible plays Griffey had made while playing for Seattle. Then the front office staff introduced him, and brought out Jay Buhner and Edgar Martinez (two other Mariner greats) to share their thoughts about their time playing with Griffey. Then it was time for Griffey to address the crowd, and he did so clearly from the heart. It was very moving. He later acknowledged that he had to take several deep breaths to keep from crying. He called Seattle his true home and said he had no idea it would feel so great to be back for the first time.
There was some unjustified concern that the Seattle fans would boo Griffey mercilessly. When Alex Rodriguez played his first game in Seattle after leaving for the Texas Rangers and $25 million per year, the fans gave him a well deserved heckling, booing, and tauting, that we have somewhat become notorious for. Anyways, point being, Seattle loves Griffey and he received a 3 and a half minute long standing ovation. For those unfamiliar to the story, essentially Griffey is Seattle's first superstar and he is unquestionably the main reason that Safeco Field was built and that professional baseball exists in Seattle at all.
So there you have it. I realize there might not be a lot of baseball fans on this forum, but I think if you are a fan of sports at all you would understand. It truly was a magical evening. It doesn't get much better than that.
And about the balls. My wife told me I couldn't get one. So, I got two. One is going on ebay to hopefully pay for both of them. Link to the auction is here. Shameless self promotion over.
It was one of the most amazing baseball experiences I've had. The only other night that tops this is going to the 1993 All Star game in Baltimore, but last night, for a normal mid season non-rivalry game, was incredible. I knew it beforehand, and its been reaffirmed since, but I would have deeply regretted missing this game had I not gone. We got to the stadium about 2 hours before the first pitch. There were at least 15,000 already waiting to get into the stadium. I've never seen that before at a baseball game.
Our first stop was the Mariner's team store. Before the series, Griffey had autographed 1000 specially marked baseballs issued by Rawlings celebrating his return. They all had a special logo stamped onto them, and all proceeds from the $100 balls went to benefit children's hospitals in Seattle, Cincy and Orlando. Long story short, I got the last one there. Everyone there was waiting to buy a ball. I honestly am suprised that they weren't gone before then. He only signed 1000 of them. Then we go to our seats, watch Jr. take batting practice, and I get the last ball sold by one of the merchandise vendors on the concourse. Lady luck was on my side that night. Out of 1000 balls, I got two!
So, game time approaches. Well before the first pitch, the stadium is at capacity. The Mariners had a pregame ceremony for Griffey. There was the typical video montage highlighting all the incredible plays Griffey had made while playing for Seattle. Then the front office staff introduced him, and brought out Jay Buhner and Edgar Martinez (two other Mariner greats) to share their thoughts about their time playing with Griffey. Then it was time for Griffey to address the crowd, and he did so clearly from the heart. It was very moving. He later acknowledged that he had to take several deep breaths to keep from crying. He called Seattle his true home and said he had no idea it would feel so great to be back for the first time.
There was some unjustified concern that the Seattle fans would boo Griffey mercilessly. When Alex Rodriguez played his first game in Seattle after leaving for the Texas Rangers and $25 million per year, the fans gave him a well deserved heckling, booing, and tauting, that we have somewhat become notorious for. Anyways, point being, Seattle loves Griffey and he received a 3 and a half minute long standing ovation. For those unfamiliar to the story, essentially Griffey is Seattle's first superstar and he is unquestionably the main reason that Safeco Field was built and that professional baseball exists in Seattle at all.
So there you have it. I realize there might not be a lot of baseball fans on this forum, but I think if you are a fan of sports at all you would understand. It truly was a magical evening. It doesn't get much better than that.
And about the balls. My wife told me I couldn't get one. So, I got two. One is going on ebay to hopefully pay for both of them. Link to the auction is here. Shameless self promotion over.
