[EmpireWF]

This weekend marks an interleague series between the Cincinnati Reds and the Seattle Mariners. It also marks the first time since the blockbuster 2000 trade that Ken Griffey Jr. will play in Seattle.

From the AP Story:

"I know when I talked to him he was worried that maybe the fans might boo him here, because they have booed Alex Rodriguez and because Randy Johnson's received mixed reviews here. I told him, 'No, I don't think that's something you need to worry about.'," said Armstrong, who was the team's president when it drafted Griffey first overall in 1987.

I don't think the Mariners fans should boo him. It's not the same with A-Rod...Griffey was the face of the organization and one of the best (if not the best) players in the game for many years. It's been awhile now and he should get a solid greeting.

Plus, Seattle will be having a pre-game ceremony commemorating 'Ken Griffey Jr. Night' at Safeco.

[Lefty Noob]

Yeah, I heard he signed like 100 baseballs that will be sold off, with the proceeds going to children's hospitals in Seattle. Griffey is just such a class act, unlike A-Rod and the Big Unit, I will be stunned if he gets booed. I look at Junior and I see a microcosm of all that is good in baseball. Sorry if that sounds too corny.

[ThePundit]

If Griffey didn't have all these injuries, he'd be chasing Aaron, if he already wouldn't have passed him by now (And honestly, too).

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Yeah, I heard he signed like 100 baseballs that will be sold off, with the proceeds going to children's hospitals in Seattle. Griffey is just such a class act, unlike A-Rod and the Big Unit, I will be stunned if he gets booed. I look at Junior and I see a microcosm of all that is good in baseball. Sorry if that sounds too corny.

He might also be the cleanist of the modern era 500 home run hitters...which add to his class act.

[azrael492]

Not only is he a class act, but he is appreciated by the fans of Seattle still. I got this off a Reds live blog of the game.

The Welcome Back Junior festivities have just begun. It's going to be cool. Just Harold Reynolds saying he's the reason the Seattle Mariners are still here got a huge ovation. Even all the Mariners players are out to watch the presentation.

If there's a boo, I can't hear it. Wow. The people are still clapping. He came out 45 seconds ago, everyone is still ont heir feet, taking pitctures, cheering and now another roar at the minute mark. I've never seen anything like this for an active player of another team. We're still going at the two-minute mark. 2:14 the "Junior" chant starts. At 2:50 the speaker starts to try to get things going.

Jay Buhner and Edgar Martinez just came out to present him with a photo of Safeco Field, "The House That Griffey Built"

There's a podium, Buhner just introduced him and he had another minute-long standing ovation.

Griffey said a couple of things, how much he apprecaited the fans, etc., how he still looks to see how the Marienrs are doing and that me misses Seattle. Honestly, in his true fashion, he spent more time talking about Jay Buhner and Edgar Martinez than he did himself.

I heard one fan yelling out, "No Thank You!" and "Thank you for Safeco!"

I wish the Reds treated him as well. They still BOO him.


Cincinnati Reds

[Gotham Dark Knight]

I bet he retires in Seattle...like Aaron going back to Milwaukee or Mays to New York...

[ThePundit]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

I bet he retires in Seattle...like Aaron going back to Milwaukee or Mays to New York...

Good point....He can probably DH and squeeze an extra year or 2 out of his career if he wants..