Ken Griffey Jr. has retired at the age of 40 after playing 22 years in Major League Baseball. During his prime years many felt that when Griffey’s career was over he could possibly be one of the top 10 greatest hitters of all time. Injuries became a problem late in Griffey’s career and put a halt to the hopes of another 700 home run hitter and possibly a new home run king. Nonetheless Griffey still ranks as one of the greatest hitters in MLB history.

At baseballsgreatesthitters.com we have Ken Griffey Jr. ranked 23rd overall on our greatest hitters list. He is the 6th best hitting centerfielder, and is ranked as the 15th greatest outfielder of all time based on our formula. In his era alone (The Steroid Era), he is ranked only behind Barry Bonds as the second greatest hitting outfielder. He is also ranked as the 2nd greatest hitter at any position during the Steroid Era Part 1, only behind Barry Bonds.

When looking back on Griffey’s great career, there has never been any indication or suspicion of any steroid use. We do feel he is a first ballot Hall of Famer, and feel he is the greatest hitting centerfielder since Mantle and Mays. When looking at the prime years of Ken Griffey Jr. he ranks as one of the greatest hitters who ever lived.

In examining his career we see many similarities between Griffey and Mickey Mantle. Both players always played the game hard with little regard for their own bodies, were beloved by the fans, and considered the most important ambassadors for Major League baseball during their respective careers. The decline of Mantle’s numbers at the end of his career kept him out of the top 10 hitters of all time, and the same can be said of Griffey, who we feel if it had not been for nagging injuries would have easily broken into the top 20 list of all time.

What do you think? Please share your comments…