Mariners | Seattle Times Newspaper

Saturday, December 18, 2010 - Page updated at 06:57 p.m.

Farewell, Junior: Ken Griffey Jr. calls it a career

Ken Griffey Jr. announced his retirement on June 2, 2010 after a 22-year career. Griffey, 40, hit 630 home runs, the fifth-most in MLB history. He began with the Mariners as a 19-year-old in 1989 and was a 10-time All-Star.

Throughout the years, Griffey has become a Seattle sports icon. Scroll down for a collection of his career highlights, analysis pieces from Times sports writers and favorite memories from fans.

EZRA SHAW / GETTY IMAGES

Seattle sports icon Ken Griffey Jr. has retired from Major League Baseball after a 22-year career.

Griffey's numbers, mystique, exuberance and all-around ability won't be forgotten

Measuring greatness: Six reasons next stop should be Cooperstown | Memorable quotes | Ken Griffey Jr. trivia

Stone: Ken Griffey Jr. in his prime is sight to remember | Jay Buhner, Edgar Martinez reflect | Career timeline

Kelley: No happy ending for greatest Mariner | Brewer: The joy was gone, now so is The Kid | Ken Griffey Jr. retires

Wakamatsu says he didn't pressure Griffey to retire | Junior unable to recapture 2009 magic | Players remember

Career stats | PDF: Home runs | Retirement statement | Gallery: Junior rounds the bases | Share your memories

Ken Griffey Jr. vs. other power hitters

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This interactive graphic compares Griffey's numbers to those of other top sluggers. Use the pull-down menu to change the category and check the boxes next to the names of players you want to compare him with.

Ken Griffey Jr. career timeline

Ken Griffey Jr. retires on Dipity.

Fans react to Griffey's retirement

Dave Niehaus reflects on Griffey's career

News of Ken Griffey Jr.'s retirement inspired tweeps across the country to share memories of his 22-year career in Major League Baseball. Here are some seattletimes.com staff picks paired with photos.

KEN LAMBERT / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Fans watch as Ken Griffey Jr. tips his hat during his first at bat against the L.A. Angels for the 2009 home opener at Safeco Field.

Tips his cap to the remarkable career of Ken Griffey, Jr. You killed my fantasy baseball team in 2000, but you made millions smile.less than a minute ago via webTim Foley
commanderfoley

DEAN RUTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Ken Griffey Jr. rallies the Qwest Field crowd at the start of the Seahawks game against the Titans on January 3, 2010.

@TheRealMariners Having "The Kid" raise the 12th Man Flag at Qwest Field last year. One of the greatest of all time! #thanksjuniorless than a minute ago via TweetDeckSeattle Seahawks
Seahawks

CHARLIE RIEDEL / AP

Ken Griffey Jr. high fives teammates in an April 10, 1989, game against the Chicago White Sox.

Happy retirement to Ken Griffey Jr. A great baseball player, and a better human being. Esp. great in a era fraught with steroids & cheatingless than a minute ago via webThe Streit Council
StreitCouncil

BENJAMIN BENSCHNEIDER / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Seattle Mariners' Ken Griffey Jr. high-fives a fan as he leaves the field after the second inning of an exhibition spring baseball game against Australia on Wednesday, March 4, 2009, in Peoria, Ariz.

@brandonbreaks Baseball is losing one of it's classiest players today with Griffey Jr.'s retirement #thanksjuniorless than a minute ago via webAshley Dunaway
AshLilee

MARK HARRISON / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Ken Griffey Jr. and Ichiro are carried off the field by their teammates after the Mariners defeated the Texas Rangers 4-3 to end their season on October 4, 2009, at Safeco Field.

@therealmariners Griffey's a real Mariner. Thanful he gets to retire in a #mariners uniform. Sad but rewarding day for us fans #thanksjuniorless than a minute ago via TweeCraig Reed
craig_reed

Twitter was quickly filled with people sharing photos and memories of The Kid shortly after Ken Griffey Jr.'s retirement was announced. Here are some seattletimes.com staff picks of photos and memories on Twitter.

@TheRealMariners Griffey is my all time favorite! #thanksjunior http://tweetphoto.com/25272337less than a minute ago via EchofonJesse Arias
kingbooty

Thank you Ken Griffey Jr. My Upper Deck one is locked up! http://twitpic.com/1tevg5less than a minute ago via EchofonShoeAffliction
ShoeAffliction

Ken Griffey Jr. to retire due to Gigantism #simpsons http://twitpic.com/1teogmless than a minute ago via TwitpicSean Ireton
SeanieMic

In honor of The Kid's retirement announcement-Ken Griffey Jr is one of the greatest, thankful I saw him play. http://twitpic.com/1teolrless than a minute ago via SocialScopeNick Engvall
sactownxsi

Griffey -- you were a good baseball player, but your candy bar was AMAZING! http://twitpic.com/1teh67less than a minute ago via TwitpicTravis Shumate
travisshumate

News of Griffey's retirement makes me want to climb into the attic, find my Sega Genesis & play RBI Baseball '93. http://yfrog.com/5d9leqjless than a minute ago via TweetDeckbeth bresnahan
bethbres13