Here's looking at you, Kid: Thanks for the memories, Junior

When Seattle Mariners outfielder Ken Griffey Jr.'s batting average dipped below the infamous "Mendoza line", rumors about retirement swirled like the clubhouse jacuzzi. As Junior called it today, the Dog Denizens of Genesee Park (DDGP) wish to laud the 13-time All Star (10 times for us, three times for "them", aka Cincinnati) for the Hall of Fame (HOF) memories.

Unlike former teammate Edgar Martinez, Junior is a no-brainer to receive 90 percent of the votes of the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWWA) in the first year of eligibility. Consider Junior's career stats: .284 batting average, 2,781 hits; 630 home runs; 1,836 runs batted in; 10 gold gloves; 1997 American League Most Valuable Player (MVP); and 1992 All-Star game MVP. Consider also the balloting of first-time nominees: Cal Ripken Jr. (98.5 percent in 2007), Tony Gwynn (97.5 percent in 2007), Rickey Henderson (94.8 percent in 2009), Wade Boggs (91.9 percent in 2005), Paul Molitor (85.2 percent) and Dennis Eckersley (83.2 percent in 2004). The DDGP will lobby in Junior's behalf, but he won't need our blogging influence.

We were at the game in 1990 in which Ken Griffey Sr. and Junior became the first father-and-son combo to hit back-to-back home runs. In 1995, we watched in horror when Junior collided with the Kingdome center field wall to save a run -- and broke both bones in his wrist. Four years later, we watched from the nosebleed seats as Junior tore around the bases to score the winning run in Game 5 of the American League Divisional Series. After Junior left for Cincinnati after the 1999 season, we sat in right field eight years later and yelled. "Come back!" when the Reds played at Safeco.

The fans will remember the carefree, backwards-wearing-cap outfielder who, if characterized as a Genesee Park dog, would probably be a boxer... athletic and playful, the perpetual puppy. When Junior aged, so did we.

Cynics and haters be damned: Junior, we'll miss you. And we'll continue our membership at the Baseball HOF so we can attend the Cooperstown ceremony in 2016, and witness your much-deserved induction.