Former Seattle Mariners outfielder Ken Griffey Jr.(notes) just received a remarkable award from Major League Baseball. Griffey was given the Commissioner’s Historic Achievement Award, a reward for playing spectacular baseball over his 22-year career in the game.

Griffey becomes the 12^th person to win this award, and he has the body of work to back it up. He made it on to 13 All-Star teams, won 10 Gold Glove Awards, won the American League Most Valuable Player Award in 1997, and took home manySilver Slugger Awards. A member of the MLB All-Century Team, it is only a matter of time before he joins the Baseball Hall of Fame on the first ballot.

This is definitely an award that Griffey deserves for his dedication to the game of baseball. He had 630 home runs , 1,836 RBIs and 2,781 hits during his 22 seasons in the league. Injuries cost him a lot of time during his career though, and his numbers could have been some of the best in the history of the game if he had been able to stay healthy. Still, his numbers have reserved in a place in Cooperstown, and it would be a crime if he wasn’t elected to the HOF on 100% of the ballots.

Former Mariners catcher Dave Valle might have summed it up best when he said Griffey , “is Seattle sports history. Whenever you talk about the Northwest, he’s front and center, beyond all the people who played there.” Valle went on to say that, “He put us on the m.” Those are words that definitely ring true for die-hard Mariners fans, and everyone remembers that Griffey was the one who scored the winning run in the 1995 AL Playoffs to send Seattle to its first ALCS .

Griffey is one of those players that will always have a place in Seattle sports, and would be welcomed back as a hitting coach if the front office ever gave him that opportunity. Every time that he joins the broadcast team in the booth during games, he also elevates the entertainment value of a struggling team. Now all of baseball sees how valuable he has been to the game of baseball.

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*Ryan is a lifelong Seattle Mariners fan who never misses an opportunity to attend a game at Safeco Field. He has been attending games since 1985, and has fond memories of The Kingdome, Edgar Martinez, and the historic 1995 team. Sodo Mojo!

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By Larry Stone, The Seattle Times

Friday, ril 1, 2011

OAKLAND, Calif. — Two years ago, the Mariners entered a season of abyss-low expectations, all optimism having withered away by virtue of the underachievement and over-infighting of the previous year.

So what did the Mariners do in 2009? They bonded beyond anyone’s wildest dreams under new manager Don Wakamatsu and his BFF Ken Griffey Jr., went from 101 losses to 85 wins … and raised the 2010 expectations to a level of DEFCON 1 unreasonableness.

And so, 101 more losses and another new manager later, here we go again. The Mariners are being penciled — make that penned — in for another last-place finish in 2011, unaccompanied by the customary high hopes that should surround the unveiling of a new season.

Going by the Mariners’ recent good year-bad year pattern, we could again be in store for some unexpected success by the ballclub in 2010 — for no other reason than it can’t get any worse. The M’s could have their hitters go to the plate with Nerf bats and still produce more offense than they did last year, when they scored fewer runs than any team in the designated-hitter era.

I wouldn’t plan for any late-summer pennant races, however. Two of the most prominent forecasting systems, which use mathematical formulas to project future performance — PECOTA and CAIRO — both spit out a 70-92 record for the Mariners. The website predictionmachine.com played each game of the season 50,000 times on a computer, and lo and behold, it also came up with 70-92 for the Mariners. There’s no word on what Koko the gorilla predicts.

Even those modest figures would represent a nine-game improvement, and I could concoct a best-case scenario in which the Mariners challenge a .500 record. In March, that’s practically a job requirement (but so is envisioning a doomsday 100-loss blueprint — not nearly as much of a stretch as the other). The most prudent way to judge the success or failure of the 2011 Mariners season, however, is to mostly ignore the standings. In a year in which contention is not a realistic goal, the measures of progress will be found elsewhere.

For instance:

Legitimate advancement by first baseman Justin Smoak, to the point where he establishes himself as a future force in the middle of the lineup. Smoak, with just 100 big-league games to his credit, doesn’t need to put up monster numbers this year; but it would be nice if he showed himself cable of doing so soon.

A successful integration of second baseman Dustin Ackley, who should join the lineup in late May or early June, to mitigate future service-time issues. If Ackley is close to the hitter the Mariners thought he’d become when they picked him No. 2 overall in the 2009 draft, right after Stephen Strasburg, then their lineup will have received a major future boost.

Michael Pineda shows himself to be a potential top-of-the-rotation starter, as his stuff indicates he can be. As with Smoak, growing pains are to be expected, but M’s fans will be looking for the occasional flashes of what lies ahead once maturity, and a competent changeup, settle in.

Michael Saunders and Adam Moore, having already endured their share of growing pains, grow to the point of being solid contributors.

Another healthy and productive season for their most valuable property, Felix Hernandez, as he continues his ascension. The challenge for Hernandez this year will be to tune out the inevitable trade talk that will heat up as the July 31 deadline proaches. Unless the Mariners dramatically change philosophy, he’s not going anywhere.

Speaking of health, it would be a huge step forward if Erik Bedard finally can come back after enduring three shoulder surgeries. The win-win option for the Mariners would then be to flip Bedard at the deadline to a pitching-hungry contender, garnering a valuable prospect or two; or lock up Bedard as a cornerstone of their rotation moving forward.

David Aardsma is another possible July trade chip, so it would be nice if he bounces back quickly from his hip surgery to have a strong first half. Jack Wilson, as well, needs to stay healthy enough to make him desirable to other teams once Ackley supplants him. The Mariners are trying to stockpile all the young talent they can — including the blue-chipper they should land with the No. 2 overall pick in the June draft.

After the distractions of last year, from the Milton Bradley drama to the Griffey saga to the Chone Figgins confrontation with Wakamatsu, the Mariners could really use a dissension-free season as new manager Eric Wedge puts his imprint on the team.

To sum up, it wouldn’t be realistic to expect the Mariners to contend in 2011. But it’s not unreasonable to expect them to use this year as a launching point for contention in the near future.

June 2, 2010, marked a sad day in Seattle Mariners baseball. A future first-ballot Hall of Famer, and the man who saved baseball in Seattle, Ken Griffey Jr. officially retired from the game. Griffey was one of the greatest players of all-time, and if not for his injury problems he may have gone down as the best ever. He will definitely be remembered as the best player to ever wear a Mariner�s uniform, and that’s saying something considering Seattle has fielded greats such as Randy Johnson, Alex Rodriguez, Edgar Martinez, Jamie Moyer and Ichiro Suzuki. All this makes me wonder, why did the man who hit 630 career home runs, played in 13 All-Star games, won 10 Gold Glove Awards, 7 Silver Slugger Awards, 1 League MVP Award, 1 All-Star Game MVP Award, Male Athlete of the year in 1998, and member of the 1900s All-Century team, leave the league so quietly?

Many players retire the same way they entered the league, either with a bang or under the radar. Griffey was the exact opposite. When he was drafted by the Mariners in 1989, he was the talk of the town and the league as well. When he retired, there was very little hoopla about it, even in Seattle. It’s time to give Griffey the attention he deserves.

Griffey�s father, Ken Griffey Sr., was ending his career with Seattle when the Mariners drafted Jr. The two were the first father-son duo to play on the same team in MLB history. Everyone referred to Junior as �The Kid� when he entered the league, and the name stuck. Griffey became the face of the Mariners, eventually leading the team to a memorable American League Divisional Series win against New York in 1995. Seattle fans will never forget him rounding third and sliding home safely to score the winning run against the Yankees, sending Seattle to its first pearance in an AL Championship Series. In 1997, Junior hit a whopping 56 long balls and won the AL MVP Award. In 1999, his final year as a Mariner and the end of a 10-year stint in the Puget Sound, Griffey cranked out 48 home runs and a career-high 24 stolen bases. Griffey then moved on to Cincinnati, where he reached the 40 home run mark just one time and battled injuries throughout his almost nine-year stint in Cincinnati. Griffey joined the ranks of many greats throughout sports history never to win a championship. What made Griffey so special were not his batting stats, combination of size and speed or amazing glove and instincts in center field. It was the way he went about his job.

Griffey loved the game of baseball and it showed whenever he was on the field. He almost always had a smile on his face and didn�t only make the game fun for himself and his teammates, but fun for the fans as well, which is a big reason he is so revered among Seattle and general baseball fans alike.

Griffey was not only a special baseball player, but a special person and good man by most standards. I would like to say on behalf of myself, and all other true Mariner fans, thank you Mr. Griffey Jr. for everything you did for Seattle baseball.

PEORIA, Ariz. – Since the day Ken Griffey Jr. telephoned Chuck Armstrong last June, announcing his retirement from the road as he drove toward his Florida home, the Seattle Mariners have talked about getting him back.

“Junior’s home,” team president Armstrong said Tuesday.

For the Mariners and the Northwest, those two words may be as meaningful to the franchise as any spoken all spring.

Griffey, the best player in team history, rejoined the Mariners and accepted a newly created job – special consultant – that will have him working with players, the public, the sponsors and perhs Safeco Field ushers.

“When he finished playing, he wanted to establish a lifelong relationship as a Mariner,” Armstrong said. “The situation is evolving; specific dates and times and exactly what he’s going to be doing, we’ll figure out as we go along.

“He is our iconic player and our biggest star, and we’re hpy to have him back home.”

Griffey retired last season after 22 years in the major leagues – 13 of those with Seattle. He finished what was a Hall of Fame career with a .284 batting average, 630 home runs and 1,836 RBI.

The Mariners say Griffey will come to spring training “at some point” this year, visit Seattle during the regular season and work with both major- and minor-league players within the organization.

“Someone like Ken Griffey Jr. can give kids direction, so you make sure you bring him in and let him make an impact,” Mariners manager Eric Wedge said. “A lot can be taken from a Hall of Fame player.”

Armstrong said that even before Griffey signed to come back to Seattle as a player two years ago, a position like this was discussed.

“This is something that’s been in the works for over two years. We were waiting for the time with Ken when he got the time to do this,” Armstrong said. “Why now? Why not now?”

While the job is still a work in progress, Armstrong said Griffey was adamant about one part of it.

“He wants to tell our minor leaguers what it means to be a Mariner and why it’s special to be a Mariner,” Armstrong said. “I can’t think of anybody who can better deliver that message than Ken Griffey Jr.

“He had this idea where he and his old minor league roommate, Roger Hansen, would visit our minor league affiliates and talk about being a Mariner, how hard you have to work. I can imagine Junior showing up in Pulaski (West Virginia) or Clinton, Iowa, and the whole town turning out.”

The team has not, Armstrong said, put together a date to honor Griffey at Safeco Field, and isn’t certain Junior will be on hand for the Mariners’ home opener in ril.

Griffey fended off interview requests, saying he’d talk when he arrived in camp, but did issue a brief statement.

“I look forward to staying very involved with the Mariners, working with the players throughout the organization, staying involved in the community and assisting in other areas of the organization,” Junior said. “It’s an exciting time and I’m preciative of the opportunity.”

Armstrong was asked about the dispointment – on all sides – that stemmed from Griffey’s awkward 2010 departure.

“In his mind, he didn’t think he had any alternative,” Armstrong said. “We might have wished that he did it differently, but in his mind he did it in the right way for himself and the franchise.”

IS MR. FELIX HERE?

In the life-will-humble-you drawer, file this:

Felix Hernandez, the 2010 American League Cy Young Award winner, was walking into the Mariners’ complex Tuesday morning the same time a Fed-Ex deliveryman was bringing in a package.

“I noticed him coming in,” Felix said.

The FedEx man then walked into the media room and asked if anyone knew where he could find “a Felix Hernandez” so he could deliver the package.

“Not everybody knows me,” Hernandez said, laughing.

SHORT HOPS

The latest position player to wander in and take a little early batting practice? Utilityman Matt Tuiasosopo, who once again faces a spring training in which he’ll be one of a half-dozen players fighting for a spot on Seattle’s bench. … General manager Jack Zduriencik is taking a few days away from camp to attend the funeral of good friend Chuck Tanner, who managed the Pittsburgh Pirates, among other teams. … Yusmeiro Petit reportedly has cleared customs and the visa problems that had kept him in Venezuela, and will report to camp today or Thursday. … Chris Gimenez, after catching rookie reliever Dan Cortes in the bullpen, was asked if the right-hander had thrown hard. “He can’t help himself,” Gimenez said. “He always throws hard.” … Then there was Miguel Olivo, who caught knuckleball specialist Charlie Haeger. “I only dropped two,” Olivo said, “but I don’t want to hit against him.”

larry.larue@thenewstribune.com blog.thenewstribune.com/mariners

SEATTLE — Ken Griffey Jr. is returning to the Seattle Mariners as a special consultant less than a year after abruptly retiring from baseball, the team said Tuesday.

Griffey’s role is still being defined, but he’ll be involved with the Mariners at spring training and the regular season, along with visiting most of the Mariners minor-league affiliates.

Griffey’s agent, Brian Goldberg, said in an e-mail to The that Griffey should be in Arizona next month. “The Mariners didn’t have to do this,” Goldberg said. “He and I are both preciative of the opportunity.”

Griffey also is expected to be involved with marketing, broadcasting and community relations.

“I’m looking forward to staying very involved with the Mariners, working with the players throughout the organization, staying involved with the community and assisting in other areas of the organization,” Griffey said in a statement from the club. “It’s an exciting time and I’m very preciative of the opportunity.”

Team president Chuck Armstrong said that despite Griffey’s abrupt retirement last June, when he simply issued a statement saying he was retiring, Griffey has been “steadfast in his desire to continue his relationship with the Mariners.”

Griffey, 41, spent the first half of his career with Seattle. He was an All-Star in 10 of his 11 seasons with the Mariners and was voted AL MVP in 1997.

After stints with the Cincinnati Reds, where he was an NL All-Star three times, Griffey played in 41 games for the Chicago White Sox in 2008. The next offseason, he came back to the Mariners as a part-time DH, hit .214 with 19 home runs and was carried off the field at the conclusion of the final regular-season home game.

Griffey came back in 2010 and was batting .184 without a home run when he cleaned out his locker. He said in his statement that without occasional starts off the bench, his continued presence would become an “unfair distraction” to the team, which he never wanted to be for his teammates.

“In his mind, he thought he didn’t have any real alternative,” Armstrong said. “He and I talked the day that he did leave and we might have wished that he did it differently, but in his mind, he did it the right way for himself and the franchise.

“For today as far as I’m concerned, all that’s behind us,” Armstrong added. “I’m just hpy to have him back and welcome him back home.”

Mariners manager Eric Wedge embraces the move. He said Tuesday that it’s important for the club to stay in touch with its history and hopes that other former Mariners stars will come down to Arizona to talk to and work with the players.

“You look at the Hall-of-Fame player that he Griffey is and the experience that he’s had and the success that he’s had, obviously there’s a lot to be taken from that,” Wedge said.

Copyright 2011 by The

Ken Griffey Jr. has accepted a position as special consultant to the Seattle Mariners.

Seattle, WA (Sports Network) – Ken Griffey Jr. has accepted a position as special consultant to the Seattle Mariners.

Griffey will join the team in spring training to work in both Major League and minor league camp. He will also visit most of the Mariners’ minor league affiliates during the season while making trips to Seattle, as well.

Team president Chuck Armstrong said in a statement Tuesday that Griffey “has been steadfast in his desire to continue his relationship with the Mariners” since he returned to Seattle for his final two seasons.

“We have designed a position that will allow Ken to continue to help the franchise succeed on, and off, the field by consulting with a variety of departments here at the Mariners,” Armstrong said.

Griffey will also be involved in other off-field operations, including marketing, broadcasting and community relations.

“I’m looking forward to staying very involved with the Mariners, working with the players throughout the organization, staying involved with the community and assisting in other areas of the organization,” Griffey said. “It’s an exciting time and I’m preciative of the opportunity.”

Griffey, 41, played 13 of his 22 seasons with the Mariners, breaking into the big leagues with them in 1989 at the age of 19. He hit 417 of his 630 career home runs and collected 1,216 of his 1,836 career RBI while hitting .292 during his time in Seattle.

© 2011 The Sports Network