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Reactions: Will Griffey reach 755? Users debate if Junior will be the first to milestone markPosted: Thursday April 13, 2000 07:22 PM
After a slow start this season, Ken Griffey Jr. is back on the home run trail -- this time in a Cincinnati uniform. CNNSI.com users shared their thoughts on whether Griffey's new home will help or hurt his long-ball game and, if Junior ever breaks Hank Aaron's career home run mark of 755, if they thought he'd be wearing a Reds uniform or that of the Mariners. A collection of some of the most interesting responses follows: There is no doubt that Junior Griffey has the talent to surpass Hank Aaron's mark. Yet I am skeptical. I do not think that Griffey has the drive and determination to play for as long as it will take. Granted that Aaron played under rather hostile social conditions, his desire to excel was never in doubt. As he ages, Griffey seems even more indifferent to the game. I feel that character rather than talent will stop him well short of 755.
I believe that Griffey will break Aaron's record and that his new home park will not affect his chances. I believe that he will continue on his great pace for the years to come. It is scary to think that if he is able to stay healthy and play until he is 40, he only needs to average 35 homers per year to break the immortal record!
I have been saying since his second or third year that Junior could do it. He is certainly on the pace and with the small parks and weak pitching it'll happen. As Pete Rose said, "I'd hate to see what Babe would do in these stadiums."
No I don't think Griffey will break Aaron's homerun record. At least I don't want him to. Griffey plays for the money and the attention, not the love of the game. Whining about a retired number is just wrong. Besides that he isn't the power hitter Aaron was. He doesn't have an intimidating body size which makes it not as fun to watch. I think that if Griffey does it he will not be a Red because he wants a chance at a championship and I don't see the Reds doing it.
No, because Junior won't be looking at Aaron's record, he'll be looking up at McGwire's record. People make the mistake of thinking that Junior only is going to have to get to 756. In truth, it's more likely that he'll have to surpass McGwire, who is well on his way eclipsing Aaron. If McGwire averages about 50 homers for the next 5 to 6 years, which is possible given the tear he's been on for the past three seasons, he's going to near 800 for his career total. For Griffey to get to 800 for his career he's going to have to hit another 400 over the next 10 years, and that's just not going to happen.
A bigger question would be will he enter the Hall of Fame in a Reds or Mariners uniform? I don't believe that he will end his career as a Red. I also believe that he will end his career back in the American league. Any cities come to mind? And yes he will break the home run record in 5 years.
I believe if Junior stays healthy, combined with the diluted pitching of major league baseball the HR record will be his before his career his is through. Junior's attitude, from what I've seen, is one of just playing and letting all the other things fall into place. I think that is in his favor, plus the Reds' new ball park will be tailor-made for him. Cinergy is not bad, either.
I have no doubt that Griffey, if he can stay healthy will break Aaron's home run record. Aaron hit a solid number of his home runs, 250, between the age of 35-40. Griffey is only 30 and 355 home runs away if he only hits 105 over the next 5 years he will still be on a good pace to break the record.
Griffey had all those years playing in the Kingdome to pile up those home run stats. One of the reasons he left Seattle was he knew the home run production would drastically go down if he played at Safeco. 755 or 756? Forget about it! If he played at Fenway, well...
In Seattle Griffey was considered the best player ever to play the game. In Cincinatti, he'll just be compared to Sosa and McGwire in a race of who can hit the most home runs because that's all Sosa and McGwire bring to a team. Griffey deserves to be praised for more than his home runs though, he should be praised because he is just flat out better than anyone else.
If anybody has a chance, it is Griffey. He's young, so time is on his side, and he can be counted on to average at least 45 strokes a year. I can see him passing Mays, but No. 756 is a long shot. Let's talk when he's at 600.
I am exhausted from hearing about Ken Griffey, the media lovechild. It is also illogical to ponder his chances at hitting 35+ bombs over the next ten years. Who cares if he reached 400 the quickest?
I believe that Ken Griffey Jr. will indeed break Hank Aaron's Home Run Record. However, I think he will return to the American League and become a DH for the last few seasons of his career.
I think Griffey has a better shot at the home run record in Cincinnati than anywhere (with the exception of Coors Field). In three years they will be in a new park that will probably be more homer-friendly than Cinergy, which is already homer friendly. I just think he might have to break Big Mac's record of 775 rather than Hank's record of 755.
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