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MLB Hall of Fame: 5 best moments of Ken Griffey Jr.’s career

By Brad Weiss

BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 1: Ken Griffey Jr.
BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 1: Ken Griffey Jr. /
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8 Oct 1995: SEATTLE CENTER FIELDER KEN GRIFFEY JR. HITS A SOLO HOMERUN IN THE 8TH INNING, MAKING THE SCORE 3-4, DURING THE MARINERS GAME VERSUS THE NEW YORK YANKEES IN GAME FIVE OF THE AMERICAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS AT THE KINGDOME IN SEATTLE, WASHINGTON. SEATT
8 Oct 1995: SEATTLE CENTER FIELDER KEN GRIFFEY JR. HITS A SOLO HOMERUN IN THE 8TH INNING, MAKING THE SCORE 3-4, DURING THE MARINERS GAME VERSUS THE NEW YORK YANKEES IN GAME FIVE OF THE AMERICAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS AT THE KINGDOME IN SEATTLE, WASHINGTON. SEATT /

3. Griffey makes his Kingdome debut

The Kingdome played home to the Seattle Mariners for 23 years, before being destroyed on March 26, 2000. Opening on March 27, 1976, it was a multi-sport stadium, which was home to the Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Supersonics as well. The Kingdome played host to the 1979 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, the NFL Pro Bowl in 1977, the NBA All-Star Game in 1987, and three NCAA Final Four events (1984, 1989, 1995).

Midway through the 1999 season, the Mariners moved to the brand new Safeco Field. A “House that Griffey built,” Safeco was basically funded by the Mariners success in the 1990s, and Griffey was at the forefront. However, it was his debut at the old Kingdome that introduced him to the Mariners faithful, and began a lovely relationship.

In 1989, the Mariners opened their season on the road, as Griffey got his first Major League hit off future Cy Young winner Dave Stewart and the Oakland Athletics, who would go on to win the World Series that year. The Mariners returned on April 10, and Griffey wasted no time showing the Mariners fans what he would bring to the table for the next decade.

Griffey homered on his first swing, blasting an 0-1 pitch from Eric King of the Chicago White Sox over the left-field fence.

In fitting fashion, Griffey also hit the last home run ever at the Kingdome, a three-run, first inning blast off Texas Rangers starter Aaron Sele. Griffey had plenty of great moments in the Kingdome, but the first time is always the best.

Next: 2. Griffey Sr. and Jr. go back-to-back

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