I am 43 years old, a Twins fan, Kirby Puckett was my guy growing up. But, to this day, I say Ken Griffey Jr. is the greatest baseball player Ive ever seen
This is what you get when your Dad is a great ballplayer, and you have a pure joy and excitement for the game. Not to mention phenomenal genetics to be tall, naturally strong, fast, and graceful as well. Oh, and an all-around nice guy, to boot. There are a lot of all-time greats in MLB, but none can match Griffey when offense and defense are considered. Best swing in history uncontested.
A great athlete! Never implicated in using steroids and reportedly was not much of a person to even work out with weights. I have a rectangular baseball card from his rookie season I think, with his electronic signature; was the first hologram baseball baseball card.
The tiger stadium catch may be the most athletic catch I’ve ever seen… But I gotta admit there’s nothing more iconic then when his hat pops off his head after a ridiculous catch. Just looks so damn cool!
Pure joy playing, sometimes too hard for longevity’s sake. Stealing the ball from his dad was a trip, playing with his dad was awesome. The only thing as fun to watch as his defense, was his sweet swing.
I played knothole baseball with Craig Griffey around the early to mid ‘80’s & Jr. played an age level just ahead of us in the same community. And let me tell you all that Jr. could’ve EASILY been another Babe Ruth or Ohtani. In knothole Jr. played outfield or first base, but he could’ve been a PHENOMENAL pitcher as well ! He was a MAN amongst boys at the junior high school age level ! It’s no surprise AT ALL to me that he had a Hall of Fame career ⚾️
Cmon man. He was good defensively but no where close to the best all time. He had a 2.2 DWAR defensively. Andruw Jones had 24. Even if you only took JRs healthy years in Seattle he’s at 9 DWAR. Not in the same galaxy as jones. We all love JR but let’s not get crazy.
Offense absolutely. Defense? No. He was good but the greatest defensive outfielder of all time was Andruw Jones. That said, I’m taking Griffey every time based on his bat even if he was awful in the field I’d take him as a good bat is always more valuable.
@@TrollinNolin95 Jr.'s defensive numbers diminished during his time in Cincy due to a multitude of debilitating injuries; looking at his career numbers, I think you've conflated the drop in his defensive guard during the second half of his career with his defensive prowess during the first eleven seasons of his career. During the entirety of the 1990s, Jr. was ranked fifth among defensive CF and from '93 - '97, specifically, he was the third best defender (#1 among CF) overall in MLB. Yes, Jones was the better defender throughout his career but Griffey, Jr. excels by all other metrics and was not an "awful" defender, all things considered.
@@rjporter1245 a 9 DWAR over in his healthy time with Seattle is barley above replacement. Cmon. He was a good defender, but we now know the legacy is far greater than reality. Jones was just a little better, he was light years better. 24 DWAR INCLUDING his decline years. The bat/glove combo from Griffey is a bit exaggerated.
@@TrollinNolin95 I didn't remember much of the reds winning I was 5 when they won. So yes without a doubt Griffey coming here was number 1. And defenitly was still in the middle of prime. He had a great 1st year next year and a few other years got hurt lol
I am 43 years old, a Twins fan, Kirby Puckett was my guy growing up. But, to this day, I say Ken Griffey Jr. is the greatest baseball player Ive ever seen
Go Twins!
Go Twins! Kirby Puckett is my dad’s favorite ball player ever. Tragic that we lost him so young
I agree love them both! But Griffey Jr was the best player I ever seen as well!
I was at the Tigers game where he robbed one! I was in the upper deck near the left field pole and had a really good view of it. Love that dude.
My favorite player of all time. Amazing with the glove and the sweetest swing ever.
My boy was always having fun. One of the Greatest ever!
Ken Griffey was that dude. I remember sitting and eating cereal before school, watching his highlights every morning on Sportscenter.
This is what you get when your Dad is a great ballplayer, and you have a pure joy and excitement for the game. Not to mention phenomenal genetics to be tall, naturally strong, fast, and graceful as well. Oh, and an all-around nice guy, to boot. There are a lot of all-time greats in MLB, but none can match Griffey when offense and defense are considered. Best swing in history uncontested.
Him and ichiro are the 2 greatest of all time. Not just as players, but as men as well.
There will never, EVER, *EVER* be another Ken Griffey Jr.
I concur
What an athlete. Did anyone ever have as much fun as Griff Jr. playing pro ball?
Yes
Puig Dodgers ‘15
Miguel Cabrera for sure
@@paintedwarrior516 ah yes Miggy always with a smile :)
A great athlete! Never implicated in using steroids and reportedly was not much of a person to even work out with weights. I have a rectangular baseball card from his rookie season I think, with his electronic signature; was the first hologram baseball baseball card.
The tiger stadium catch may be the most athletic catch I’ve ever seen… But I gotta admit there’s nothing more iconic then when his hat pops off his head after a ridiculous catch. Just looks so damn cool!
Pure joy playing, sometimes too hard for longevity’s sake. Stealing the ball from his dad was a trip, playing with his dad was awesome. The only thing as fun to watch as his defense, was his sweet swing.
I played knothole baseball with Craig Griffey around the early to mid ‘80’s & Jr. played an age level just ahead of us in the same community. And let me tell you all that Jr. could’ve EASILY been another Babe Ruth or Ohtani. In knothole Jr. played outfield or first base, but he could’ve been a PHENOMENAL pitcher as well ! He was a MAN amongst boys at the junior high school age level ! It’s no surprise AT ALL to me that he had a Hall of Fame career ⚾️
He could flat out go get it⚾️⚾️
My favorite player of all time.
The best overall cf I've ever seen. Just an athletic freak. He could do it all, defensively i don't think anybody comes close to him.
Cmon man. He was good defensively but no where close to the best all time. He had a 2.2 DWAR defensively. Andruw Jones had 24. Even if you only took JRs healthy years in Seattle he’s at 9 DWAR. Not in the same galaxy as jones. We all love JR but let’s not get crazy.
One of the greatest of all time in both offense and defense
Offense absolutely. Defense? No. He was good but the greatest defensive outfielder of all time was Andruw Jones.
That said, I’m taking Griffey every time based on his bat even if he was awful in the field I’d take him as a good bat is always more valuable.
@@TrollinNolin95 Jr.'s defensive numbers diminished during his time in Cincy due to a multitude of debilitating injuries; looking at his career numbers, I think you've conflated the drop in his defensive guard during the second half of his career with his defensive prowess during the first eleven seasons of his career. During the entirety of the 1990s, Jr. was ranked fifth among defensive CF and from '93 - '97, specifically, he was the third best defender (#1 among CF) overall in MLB. Yes, Jones was the better defender throughout his career but Griffey, Jr. excels by all other metrics and was not an "awful" defender, all things considered.
@@TrollinNolin95 thank god someone gets it.
@@rjporter1245 a 9 DWAR over in his healthy time with Seattle is barley above replacement. Cmon. He was a good defender, but we now know the legacy is far greater than reality. Jones was just a little better, he was light years better. 24 DWAR INCLUDING his decline years. The bat/glove combo from Griffey is a bit exaggerated.
Has to be the best player I've seen since going to games in 1970
As a reds fan ( 39 years old) the day he was traded to the reds was the greatest days as a sports fan in my life.
My guy, you were alive to see the Reds win their last WS but them signing Griffey past his prime tops your list? 😂
@@TrollinNolin95 I didn't remember much of the reds winning I was 5 when they won. So yes without a doubt Griffey coming here was number 1. And defenitly was still in the middle of prime. He had a great 1st year next year and a few other years got hurt lol
I hope JRod can figure out his offense because there's so many beautiful similarities between the two
Not even close bud 😂
GOAT..
Offensively yes.
Best darn ball player you’ll ever see
Not when you quantify what he did.
He was the no fly zone before j-rod was born
Watch closely at 2:24 another ball appears by his feet, coincidence?
My favourite player wen I was a teen playing baseball first player to wear his hat backwards at all stars game
I love the kid
The KID. Still cool
TIL MLB Vault is the actual throwback channel of the MLB. If only they could learn how to market it like the NFL...
The Kid! ⚾️
5:30 I WONDER WHO HAS THOSE 380 PADS ARE THEY IN THE HOF
Gonzo is another who needs some homers stolen from him
No doubt Junior knew when and how to jump to catch ‘em ✌️
do Andruw Jones next
th-cam.com/video/6J1A4KSae6M/w-d-xo.htmlfeature=shared
Best defensive outfielder ever
How you gonna leave out the broken wrist catch from '95 though? Major L for whoever made this highlight reel
Very Bad english.. your titre !