Ken Griffey Jr. anxious about Mariners HOF honor
Former Seattle Mariners' Ken Griffey Jr. imitates the thumbs-up that his son was doing below him while speaking about his close friendship with Jay Buhner at a luncheon in Griffey's honor at the team's ballpark on Friday in Seattle. The Mariners began a two-day celebration of Griffey on Friday. Griffey is being inducted into the team's Hall of Fame. (Aug. 9, 2013) Credit: AP
SEATTLE -- Once Ken Griffey Jr. got the phone call about the honor the Seattle Mariners wanted to bestow upon him he started getting nervous about having to be the center of attention.
As Griffey said Friday, it's easier to be standing in center field or waiting at home plate than talking in front of thousands of people.
Griffey will become the seventh member of the Mariners Hall of Fame on Saturday night. Griffey spent 13 seasons with the Mariners before retiring part-way through the 2010 season.
Griffey was lauded by former teammates and opponents during a luncheon on the field Friday. He was razzed by his father, who sat next to him, and was told by former teammates that they can't wait for 2016 when Griffey is eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame.
More MLB news
