Was Jr. the "legitimate" home run champion of 1998?
aNiMaL
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http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/t ... _legi.html
So was Ken Griffey Jr. the "legitimate" home run champion of 1998?
Posted by Larry Stone
This has become hazy in the ensuing years, but for much of the 1998 season, the race to Roger Maris's home run record -- an event that captivated the nation -- was a three-person affair. There was Mark McGwire, of course, who got their first, hitting 62 on Sept. 8 to tremendous fanfare, en route to 70. There was Sammy Sosa, who actually led McGwire, 66-65, in the final week before McGwire finished with a scorching five homers in his last four games to leave Sosa in the dust.
And there was Ken Griffey Jr., in his Mariner peak, who was in virtual lockstep with those two throughout the first half of the season. On July 14, for instance, Griffey hit his 38th and 39th homers of the season in a game against the Texas Rangers at the Kingdome. On that date, McGwire had 40 homers. Sosa had 36. The record was wide open, there for any of the three to take -- with Greg Vaughn of the Padres coming up fast, too.
Griffey would fade, eventually, finishing with "only" 56 homers -- the same total he had the previous year, when he had taken another run at Maris. One other time, Griffey flirted with Maris's record. In 1994, he had 40 in 111 games when the strike hit, on a pace for 58. That was the same year that Matt Williams of the Giants had 43 in 112 games, and Jeff Bagwell of the Astros had 39 in 110 games at the time of the strike. The Great Home Run Race of '98 could have happened four years earlier, if the season hadn't been interrupted, and then ended.
But back to '98, and one of the most celebrated home run battles in the history of the game between, ultimately, McGwire and Sosa. While Griffey was wearing down, hitting just six homers in August, McGwire smashed 23 in his final 40 games -- a superhuman total, it was portrayed at the time (and seems more so now than ever).
With McGwire this week admitting that he used steroids in '98, and Sosa remaining under a cloud of suspicion -- the New York Times reported last June that Sosa is among the players who tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug in 2003, according to their source -- one could make the case that Griffey, with his 56 homers, was the "clean" champion of 1998.
Yes, I realize that it's dangerous to make iron-clad assumptions about any player when it comes to steroids use, or lack of use, without definitive proof either way. But there is a consensus among baseball people that Griffey has not been a juicer, and that is my belief. I hope I'm never proven wrong, and I don't believe I will be. As for Sosa, I'll leave that to your own judgment. All we know for sure is that he once used a corked bat.
As I've written before, despite declining numbers as he aged, Griffey can walk away from the game with his integrity intact and the knowledge that he'll be welcome in baseball stadiums for perpetuity. That's unlike the Clemenses and Bondses and, until recently, McGwires, who have had to remain in virtual hiding.
Being considered the "clean" champion of '98 ultimately doesn't mean anything in any tangible sense, of course, any more than it means anything that some people still view Maris as the legitimate single-season home run champion and Hank Aaron as the career leader. Check out the record books, and you'll still find Barry Bonds atop both categories.
But when it comes to the steroids era, there will always be an imaginary asterisk in the minds of many.
(Photo by McClatchy Newspapers)
So was Ken Griffey Jr. the "legitimate" home run champion of 1998?
Posted by Larry Stone
This has become hazy in the ensuing years, but for much of the 1998 season, the race to Roger Maris's home run record -- an event that captivated the nation -- was a three-person affair. There was Mark McGwire, of course, who got their first, hitting 62 on Sept. 8 to tremendous fanfare, en route to 70. There was Sammy Sosa, who actually led McGwire, 66-65, in the final week before McGwire finished with a scorching five homers in his last four games to leave Sosa in the dust.
And there was Ken Griffey Jr., in his Mariner peak, who was in virtual lockstep with those two throughout the first half of the season. On July 14, for instance, Griffey hit his 38th and 39th homers of the season in a game against the Texas Rangers at the Kingdome. On that date, McGwire had 40 homers. Sosa had 36. The record was wide open, there for any of the three to take -- with Greg Vaughn of the Padres coming up fast, too.
Griffey would fade, eventually, finishing with "only" 56 homers -- the same total he had the previous year, when he had taken another run at Maris. One other time, Griffey flirted with Maris's record. In 1994, he had 40 in 111 games when the strike hit, on a pace for 58. That was the same year that Matt Williams of the Giants had 43 in 112 games, and Jeff Bagwell of the Astros had 39 in 110 games at the time of the strike. The Great Home Run Race of '98 could have happened four years earlier, if the season hadn't been interrupted, and then ended.
But back to '98, and one of the most celebrated home run battles in the history of the game between, ultimately, McGwire and Sosa. While Griffey was wearing down, hitting just six homers in August, McGwire smashed 23 in his final 40 games -- a superhuman total, it was portrayed at the time (and seems more so now than ever).
With McGwire this week admitting that he used steroids in '98, and Sosa remaining under a cloud of suspicion -- the New York Times reported last June that Sosa is among the players who tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug in 2003, according to their source -- one could make the case that Griffey, with his 56 homers, was the "clean" champion of 1998.
Yes, I realize that it's dangerous to make iron-clad assumptions about any player when it comes to steroids use, or lack of use, without definitive proof either way. But there is a consensus among baseball people that Griffey has not been a juicer, and that is my belief. I hope I'm never proven wrong, and I don't believe I will be. As for Sosa, I'll leave that to your own judgment. All we know for sure is that he once used a corked bat.
As I've written before, despite declining numbers as he aged, Griffey can walk away from the game with his integrity intact and the knowledge that he'll be welcome in baseball stadiums for perpetuity. That's unlike the Clemenses and Bondses and, until recently, McGwires, who have had to remain in virtual hiding.
Being considered the "clean" champion of '98 ultimately doesn't mean anything in any tangible sense, of course, any more than it means anything that some people still view Maris as the legitimate single-season home run champion and Hank Aaron as the career leader. Check out the record books, and you'll still find Barry Bonds atop both categories.
But when it comes to the steroids era, there will always be an imaginary asterisk in the minds of many.
(Photo by McClatchy Newspapers)
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Comments
I don't give a fuck about Clemens, Bonds, Palmeiro, Manny, Sosa or McGwire. But If it came out about Jr., I would be upset.
His numbers are astounding considering his injuries.
He got lost in the shuffle people don't realize how great he is/was.
Charlotte 03
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Atlanta 12
Greenville 16, Columbia 16
Seattle 18
Nashville 22
Ohana Festival 24 x2
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Nice Profile Pic
And if he took steroids I really wouldn't care much lol.
I became a m's fan when they played the yanks in the 95 playoffs. Loved it when they beat the yankees. I hope to see jr one final time during this season.
if jr was juicing then why didn't he look like bonds or big mac or sosa. So yea jr def was juicing
I think jr just had bad luck and jinxed himself with the reds
You probably think ryan was on the juice too cause of the no hitters he had in his late 30's and early 40's :roll:
Sammi: Wanna just break up?
too bad it was the 1 and only time they beat them
and lets not get into the 2000 series
As much as I love Jr's play it would be foolish at this point to say he was the legitimate homerun champion of 1998. All players from that era has to be questioned until proven otherwise.
What does Jr have to say on this question or does he even care???
Peace
*MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
.....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti
*The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)
No why don't we get into the 00 series. The mets just ran into one of the greatest teams ever. I will always tip my mets hat to the yankees franchise. To bad most yanks fans lack class. 00 was years ago buddy time to move on. hey we could talk bout the 04 alcs if you want to or the 03 series. I'm sure you'd love to talk bout those chokings.
Sammi: Wanna just break up?
A) O3 AND 04 had ZIPPO to do with the mets
c) how bout we talk about this past october
or maybe we can talk about the mets chances of beating the phils this year :roll:
I hate to agree w/ this, but I do. People want to believe he was clean because he seems like a nice, upstanding guy.
He has all the signs of a juicer: home runs, injuries, physical growth.
Typo Man: "Thanks kidz, but remembir, stay in skool!"
http://www.baseball-reference.com/playe ... html?redir
Not trying to defend Jr but inflated homerun numbers because I question ALL players from that era. However, what do you consider is inflated HR numbers? 56 homeruns 2 years in a row is inflated?????
Preferred Bat: Black Smith Finish Louisville Slugger C271C (More info on Game Used Bats)Ken Griffey
George Kenneth Griffey Jr. (Junior and Kid)
Bats: Left , Throws: Left
Height: 6' 3" , Weight: 205 lb.
Born: November 21, 1969 in Donora, PA
High School: Moeller (Cincinnati, OH)
Drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 1st round (1st pick) of the 1987 amateur draft. (All Transactions)
Debut: April 3, 1989
Relatives: Son of Ken Griffey
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Game Streak Event Year Age Tm Lg G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS OPS+ TB GDP HBP SH SF IBB Pos Awards
1989 19 SEA AL 127 506 455 61 120 23 0 16 61 16 7 44 83 .264 .329 .420 .748 108 191 4 2 1 4 8 *8 RoY-3
1990 20 SEA AL 155 666 597 91 179 28 7 22 80 16 11 63 81 .300 .366 .481 .847 135 287 12 2 0 4 12 *8/D AS,MVP-19,GG
1991 21 SEA AL 154 633 548 76 179 42 1 22 100 18 6 71 82 .327 .399 .527 .926 155 289 10 1 4 9 21 *8/D AS,MVP-9,GG,SS
1992 22 SEA AL 142 617 565 83 174 39 4 27 103 10 5 44 67 .308 .361 .535 .896 149 302 15 5 0 3 15 *8/D AS,MVP-17,GG
1993 23 SEA AL 156 691 582 113 180 38 3 45 109 17 9 96 91 .309 .408 .617 1.025 171 359 14 6 0 7 25 *8D/3 AS,MVP-5,GG,SS
1994 24 SEA AL 111 493 433 94 140 24 4 40 90 11 3 56 73 .323 .402 .674 1.076 170 292 9 2 0 2 19 *8/D9 AS,MVP-2,GG,SS
1995 25 SEA AL 72 314 260 52 67 7 0 17 42 4 2 52 53 .258 .379 .481 .860 122 125 4 0 0 2 6 8/D AS,GG
1996 26 SEA AL 140 638 545 125 165 26 2 49 140 16 1 78 104 .303 .392 .628 1.020 153 342 7 7 1 7 13 *8/D AS,MVP-4,GG,SS
1997 27 SEA AL 157 704 608 125 185 34 3 56 147 15 4 76 121 .304 .382 .646 1.028 165 393 12 8 0 12 23 *8/D7 AS,MVP-1,GG,SS
1998 28 SEA AL 161 720 633 120 180 33 3 56 146 20 5 76 121 .284 .365 .611 .977 150 387 14 7 0 4 11 *8/D379 AS,MVP-4,GG,SS
1999 29 SEA AL 160 706 606 123 173 26 3 48 134 24 7 91 108 .285 .384 .576 .960 139 349 8 7 0 2 17 *8/D AS,MVP-10,GG,SS
2000 30 CIN NL 145 631 520 100 141 22 3 40 118 6 4 94 117 .271 .387 .556 .942 133 289 7 9 0 8 17 *8 AS
2001 31 CIN NL 111 417 364 57 104 20 2 22 65 2 0 44 72 .286 .365 .533 .898 124 194 8 4 1 4 6 8/D
2002 32 CIN NL 70 232 197 17 52 8 0 8 23 1 2 28 39 .264 .358 .426 .784 103 84 6 3 0 4 6 8/79
2003 33 CIN NL 53 201 166 34 41 12 1 13 26 1 0 27 44 .247 .370 .566 .936 145 94 3 6 1 1 5 8/D
2004 34 CIN NL 83 348 300 49 76 18 0 20 60 1 0 44 67 .253 .351 .513 .864 122 154 8 2 0 2 3 8/D9 AS
2005 35 CIN NL 128 555 491 85 148 30 0 35 92 0 1 54 93 .301 .369 .576 .946 144 283 9 3 0 7 3 *8/D MVP-24
2006 36 CIN NL 109 472 428 62 108 19 0 27 72 0 0 39 78 .252 .316 .486 .802 99 208 13 2 0 3 6 8/D
2007 37 CIN NL 144 623 528 78 146 24 1 30 93 6 1 85 99 .277 .372 .496 .869 119 262 14 1 0 9 14 *9/D AS
2008 38 TOT MLB 143 575 490 67 122 30 1 18 71 0 1 78 89 .249 .353 .424 .778 102 208 13 3 0 4 14 *98D
2008 38 CIN NL 102 425 359 51 88 20 1 15 53 0 1 61 64 .245 .355 .432 .787 104 155 7 2 0 3 13 9/D
2008 38 CHW AL 41 150 131 16 34 10 0 3 18 0 0 17 25 .260 .347 .405 .751 95 53 6 1 0 1 1 8/D9
2009 39 SEA AL 117 454 387 44 83 19 0 19 57 0 0 63 80 .214 .324 .411 .735 95 159 6 1 0 3 2 D/79
21 Seasons 2638 11196 9703 1656 2763 522 38 630 1829 184 69 1303 1762 .285 .371 .541 .912 136 5251 196 81 8 101 246
162 Game Avg. 162 688 596 102 170 32 2 39 112 11 4 80 108 .285 .371 .541 .912 136 322 12 5 0 6 15
G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS OPS+ TB GDP HBP SH SF IBB Pos Awards
SEA (12 yrs) 1652 7142 6219 1107 1825 339 30 417 1209 167 60 810 1064 .293 .376 .559 .935 146 3475 115 48 6 59 172
CIN (9 yrs) 945 3904 3353 533 904 173 8 210 602 17 9 476 673 .270 .362 .514 .876 122 1723 75 32 2 41 73
CHW (1 yr) 41 150 131 16 34 10 0 3 18 0 0 17 25 .260 .347 .405 .751 95 53 6 1 0 1 1
AL (13 yrs) 1693 7292 6350 1123 1859 349 30 420 1227 167 60 827 1089 .293 .375 .556 .931 144 3528 121 49 6 60 173
NL (9 yrs) 945 3904 3353 533 904 173 8 210 602 17 9 476 673 .270 .362 .514 .876 122 1723 75 32 2 41 73
Peace
*MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
.....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti
*The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)
But i'm not raining on JR. He has one of the sweetest HR swings this game has ever seen. Like I said earlier i think what he did was natural and just goes to show how awesome he is.
Just looked it up on baseball reference. Here are the guys who have hit 56 or more hr's in a single season much less back to back season's:
Roger Maris
Babe Ruth
Jimmie Foxx
Hank Greenburg
Ryan Howard
Hack Wilson
Luis Gonzalez
Alex Rodriguez
Barry Bonds
Sammy Sosa
Big Mac
Now that i'm looking at it i think JR is the only guy to ever to do it in back to back years
Charlotte 03
Asheville 04
Atlanta 12
Greenville 16, Columbia 16
Seattle 18
Nashville 22
Ohana Festival 24 x2
493 HRS...
He looked like he weighed 170lbs........
Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
Somehow you know that to be 100% sure that's a fact he never used? We will NEVER know that for sure, you seem to be assuming he never used we just don't know and i love the guy.
Peace
*MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
.....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti
*The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)
I agree I would've loved for him to have been able to hit 7 more, he had a very unusual helicoptor follow through swing.
Peace
*MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
.....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti
*The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)
7 of the top 26 HR hitters in baseball are CONFIRMED steroid freaks....
Which puts McGriff # 19 on the list???? Of those who didnt juice.......
Fred Mcgriff will never see The Hall Of Fame.....
He should have been a 2nd or 3rd ballot Hall Of Famer.........
Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
That's the point though: people have been assuming he did not juice, but no-one knows for sure. There is a MASSIVE list of people who tested positive, and only a select few names have leaked out. Why do you think he didn't juice? Because his name has not come up yet? Because he seems like a nice/honest guy?
Remember when people were not worried about Bonds breaking the record because A-Rod was going to eventually own the all-time record and, well, he didn't juice, did he? Oh, right...
Typo Man: "Thanks kidz, but remembir, stay in skool!"
Frank Thomas. I have no doubts about him considering he was always huge and had great power. He was the only active player to interview during the time of the Mitchel Report and did so voluntarily.
Jim Thome maybe. Although I must admit, as much respect as I have for him, I have my doubts when it comes to Big Jim considering his size and production jumped way up in the late 90s/early 00s.
What the hell are you talking about? I said JR is the homerun champion of the last 20 years. How do you interpret that to mean that I think he did steroids? Why would I call him that if I thought he did steroids?
Pearl Jam bootlegs:
http://wegotshit.blogspot.com
If you can prove that, you can find out the true HR King.
Oh, and Babe Ruth snorted steroids. Up his ass.
I ran that through my madeupstatisticalnumbercrunchingsportdatacomputatron and came up 17.459
Seems about right...
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someone with your signature shouldn't be saying anything about lame attempts at humor
Roger Tobin, the study’s author, calculated that a ‘roided-out size increase in muscle mass (10 percent) would allow a hitter to strike a baseball about 5 percent faster. For you or me, the 4 percent increase in ball speed that our higher bat speed would allow us to generate wouldn’t mean much. Chavez is right, for guys who can’t hit, steroids don’t help. We’d still fly out to center. But for professional baseball players playing in parks that were designed with normal human biological strength constraints in mind, that extra 4 percent means an “increase home run production by anywhere from 50 percent to 100
percent," according to Tobin
50% ?????
That makes sense to me...
When Mcgwire and Sammy were hitting 60 hr's a year....Doesnt 30 seem more realistic?? Especially for Sammy.....
Bonds??? He hit 73 in a year??? 37-40 seems more realistic.......
Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....