Future Legends: Ken Griffey, Jr. (Mariners 1989-1999, Reds 2000-2008, White Sox 2008-present)

“If I’m compared to Babe Ruth or Willie Mays, that’s great. But I’m just going to go out there and be myself.” ~ Ken Griffey, Jr.

Ken Griffey, Jr. is one of the most charismatic baseball players ever to put on a major league uniform. Beginning his career in Seattle in 1989 as a 19-year old phenom, “The Kid” was immediately a national superstar. He finished his rookie season with 16 home runs and a .264 average in 127 games, then followed that with three straight seasons of 20+ home runs and a .300+ average. In 1993, Junior really took off, smacking 45 balls out of the park, just one less than Juan Gonzalez. In the strike-shortened 1994 season, he led the American League with 40 home runs, and two years later came up one short of 50 in 1996.

Baseball Legends: Nolan Ryan (Mets 1966, 1968-1971, Angels 1972-1979, Astros 1980-1988, Rangers 1989-1993)

“One of the beautiful things about baseball is that every once in a while you come into a situation where you want to, and where you have to, reach down and prove something.” ~ Nolan Ryan

Prove something is what Nolan Ryan did with his entire career. It’s difficult to decide what is most impressive: his seven career no-hitters (three more than any other pitcher), or his 5714 strikeouts (over 1000 more than the runner-up). Or perhaps the power with which he pitched, even after reaching the age of 40. The longevity of Ryan’s career–a major-league record 27 years–is also astounding. In fact, there isn’t much about the pitcher that one could say was not impressive.

Forgotten Legends: Vincent Edward ‘Bo’ Jackson (Royals 1986-1990, White Sox 1991,1993, Angels 1994)

“First of all, I really never imagined myself being a professional athlete.” – Bo Jackson

Looking at the man to the left that is hard to believe. Bo Jackson was one of the best athletes that I have ever seen. Jackson played in the Major Leagues less than ten years, but his mark will forever be on the sport. His promising career was cut short by a hip injury suffered while playing his “hobby” sport of professional football. If not for that injury who knows what could have happened?

Baseball Legends: George Brett (Royals 1973-1993)

“I could have played another year, but I would have been playing for the money, and baseball deserves better than that.” – George Brett

The above quote was given by George upon his retirement. It showed what he thought of the game along with everything that he put into it. George Brett was drafted by the Kansas City Royals with the 29th pick in the 1971 draft. The next pick in the draft was fellow Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt. He was a good third basemen, but in 1974 he became a great hitter. He worked with legendary hitting coach Charlie Lau during the All-Star break on his swing. His average showed that he listened to Lau. In 1975 he hit over .300 for the first time, and won the batting title in 1976 with a .333 average. He finished out the decade by tearing the cover off of the ball, and leading the Royals to the AL West title three times (1976, 1977, 1978).

Baseball Legends: Wade Boggs (Red Sox 1982-1992, Yankees 1993-1997, Devil Rays 1998-1999)

The 1980s were a special time in baseball history. Pete Rose, nearing the end of his career, broke Ty Cobb’s record for most hits in 1985. Just a few years prior, in 1982, two other players started careers that would see them reach the 3000-hit milestone: Tony Gwynn and Wade Boggs.

Like Rose, Boggs faced off-field problems during his career (though of a different nature than Rose). However, his play was apparently never affected by those difficulties. Only three times in 18 seasons did Boggs bat lower than .300, contrasted with five seasons over .350 between 1983 and 1988. His career batting average was .328, good for 36th on the all-time list. His 3000th hit was a home run, coming in his final season with the Rays.

Baseball Legends: Gary Carter (Expos 1974-1984, 1992, Mets 1985-1989, Giants 1990, Dodgers 1991)

Gary Carter stands as one of the prime examples of what happens when you play in Canada: you are largely ignored. Carter’s best years came while wearing a Montreal uniform, as he spent his first eleven seasons there. However, he was overshadowed by Johnny Bench’s play in Cincinnati as the best catcher in the National League in the 1970s, and it was not until the 1980s that he began to receive the recognition he deserved.

After being selected as a reserve catcher for the All-Star team in 1975, 1979, and 1980, Carter received the fan vote to start 1981-1984 and 1986-1988. In 1981 and 1984 he was honored as the All-Star Game MVP. He was also named to the roster in 1985, but did not play that year.

Baseball Legends: Kirby Puckett (Twins 1984-1995)

Kirby Puckett was a larger than life player, who captured the hearts of not only the fans, but his teammates as well. He was always quick with a smile and was known as one of the most generous players during his playing days.

Kirby was drafted in the first round (third overall) of the 1982 amateur draft by the Minnesota Twins. From the moment that Kirby was promoted in 1984, he excelled in his day to day playing. He is only the ninth player in major league history to achieve four hits in his debut game. He became a sensation in center field in Minnesota. His popularity soared when John Fogerty’s single “Centerfield” was released as a single in 1985. Twins fans started to associate Puckett with the song because of his electric play in the outfield.

Baseball Legends: Carlton Fisk (Red Sox 1969, 1971-1980, White Sox 1981-1993)

When you think of all-time iconic moments, one moment in World Series history always stands out. October 21, 1975. Game six of the 1975 World Series between the Cincinnati Reds and the Boston Red Sox. The image of Carlton Fisk waving his famous home run ball fair will always be associated with the game of baseball in the lexicon of America’s pastime.

Fisk was the first round pick (fourth overall) for the Red Sox in the 1967 amateur draft. He made his MLB debut in 1969. Carlton played in a total of sixteen games in 1969 and 1971. 1972 would be the year that he would break through and stay in the majors. It was in this year that Fisk won the American League Rookie of the Year honors. He also made the All-Star team and placed fourth in MVP voting in his rookie season.

Baseball Legends: Ryne Sandberg (Phillies 1981, Cubs 1982-1997)

If you ask a sports fan the significance of the number 23, most of the time they will tell you that Michael Jordan wore that number for the Chicago Bulls. However, there is another Chicago sports legend that had 23 stitched onto his jersey: Cubs second baseman Ryne Sandberg.

Sandberg came to the Cubs with Larry Bowa in a trade with the Phillies for Ivan DeJesus. He made an immediate impact, batting .271 and stealing 32 bases for the 5th place Cubs in 1982. It wasn’t until 1984, though, that Sandberg truly stepped into the national spotlight, hitting .314 with 19 home runs en route to the NL MVP award and leading the club to the playoffs for the first time since 1945. 1984 was also the first of a 10-year run on the All-Star team, voted as the starting second baseman every year except 1985 (he was beat out that year by Tom Herr of the Cardinals).