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.

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: Steve Carlton (Cardinals 1965-71, Phillies 1972-86, Giants 1986, White Sox 1986, Indians 1987, Twins 1987-88)

“Lefty was a craftsman, an artist. He was a perfectionist. He painted a ballgame. Stroke, stroke, stroke, and when he got through (pitching a game) it was a masterpiece.” – Richie Ashburn

Steve Carlton broke into the majors with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1965. He saw action in the World Series in both 1967 ad 1968. In 1968 Carlton received his first of 10 All-Star selections. It was in the off season following that year that Steve started experimenting with the slider. The pitch would elevate him to another level. That next year his ERA went down by 0.82 and his strikeouts increased by 48. The highlight of the 1969 season was his 19 strikeout performance against the Mets. He won 17 games in 1969, then lost 19 in 1970, but turned around and won 20 in 1971. The end of his career with the Cardinals was clouded by his disagreements with management.

Baseball Legends: Larry Doby (Indians 1947-1955, 1958, White Sox 1956-1957, 1959, Tigers 1959)

“I knew being accepted was going to be hard, but I knew I was involved in a situation that was going to bring opportunities to other blacks.” – Larry Doby

Larry Doby was the second African American player to play in the Major Leagues. That is kind of like the second man to walk on the moon, or the second man to break the sound barrier. Most people could not tell you their name. Doby was signed by the Cleveland Indians eleven weeks after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier by Bill Veeck. While Jackie is fondly remembered by everyone, Doby is rarely named in the same breath. He was the first black player in the American League, and thus became the answer to a trivia question.

Baseball Legends: Tom Seaver (Mets 1967-1977, 1983, Reds 1977-1982, White Sox 1984-1986, Red Sox 1986)

“He’s so good that blind people come to the park just to hear him pitch.”
—  Reggie Jackson

Tom Seaver is one of those guys that you knew early on was a lock for the Hall of Fame. He had a great control, and an overwhelming fastball.  He was also a very cerebral pitcher. That combination proved to be too much for most of his opponents. He pitched for 20 seasons in the Major Leagues piling up 311 wins and 3,640 strikeouts. He is one of 23 members of the 300 win club, and one of 15 members of the 3,000 strikeout club. During his career he was a 12 time All Star. He really was a dominant pitcher.

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.