The top 10 greatest short-lived duos in MLB history

World Series co-MVPs Arizona Diamondbacks pitchers Randy Johnson (L) and Curt Schilling hold their MVP trophy during post-game ceremonies after the Diamondbacks' win of Game 7 of the World Series in Phoenix 04 November 2001. The Diamondbacks defeated the New York Yankees 3-2, winning the series four games to three to become the world champions. AFP PHOTO/Jeff HAYNES (Photo by JEFF HAYNES / AFP) (Photo by JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images) /

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Seattle Mariner Ken Griffey Jr. (R) is congratulated by teammate Alex Rodriguez (L) after Griffey hit his 16th home run of the year in the fourth inning at Toronto’s Skydome 18 May against the Blue Jays. The three-run shot ties him at the top of the American League with Rodriguez. AFP PHOTO Carlo ALLEGRI (Photo by CARLO ALLEGRI / AFP) (Photo credit should read CARLO ALLEGRI/AFP via Getty Images) /

Short-lived MLB duo No. 3: Ken Griffey Jr. and Alex Rodriguez — 1994–1999 Seattle Mariners

Ken Griffey Jr. and Alex Rodriguez shared six seasons together while with the Seattle Mariners, but it was essentially four due to the latter not playing his first full season until 1996.

Over their four full seasons together, they emerged as two of the faces of baseball. In this time period, Griffey Jr. ranked first in RBI (567), second in home runs (209) and third in runs (493). He was beloved among fans not only for his production on the field but likable persona that attracted a multitude of new fans to the sport.

He was performing at a level not seen in decades.

Rodriguez played second fiddle to Griffey Jr. but also produced over the four seasons; he hit a combined 143 home runs and recorded an OPS of .938.

Their most notable season came in 1996. Griffey Jr. was already an established superstar and racked up 49 home runs and 140 RBI. Rodriguez had his breakout season in his first full year as he won the batting title with a .358 average and scored a league-high 141 runs. The two became the first hitting duo to record a bWAR of at least 9.0 since Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig reached the mark back in 1930 — a target which they also reached in 1927 and 1928.

The Mariners controversially traded Griffey Jr. to the Reds in 2000, and Rodriguez left the Mariners for the Rangers a season later. Considering A-Rod was still in his early 20s and Griffey Jr. was just approaching his early 30s, the two still had much to offer as a dynamic hitting duo.

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