Wednesday, 20 January 2016

Magic Jordan Sought Griffey Autograph


Many fans have begged Michael Jordan for his autograph during his illustrious career. But have you ever seen His Airness ask someone else for his/her signature?

During the 1993 MLB All-Star Game, Jordan -- decked out in Chicago White Sox gear -- walked over to Ken Griffey Jr. and asked the then-Mariners star to sign a bat.

Junior obliged, then asked MJ for the jersey, which Jordan is quick to hand over and sign.

One all-time great paying tribute to another.

For those not familiar with Major League Baseball, Griffey Jr has just been elected to the Hall Of Fame, with a record 437 of 440 votes (99.3 per cent) from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.

During a stunning career, “The Kid” was a 13-time All-Star, 10-time Gold Glove winner and seven-time Silver Slugger winner. He hit 630 home runs and is the only player with more than 500 career homers who is not tainted by guilt or suspicion of using performance-enhancing drugs.

Playing for the Seattle Mariners, Cincinnati Reds and Chicago White Sox across 22 seasons, he finished with a .284 batting average, including 2781 hits, 1662 runs scored and 1836 RBI. He ranks sixth all-time for homers, 15th for RBIs and also 13th for total bases (5271). Those immense stats came despite regular injury problems.

In the year Jordan asked for Griffey Jr’s autograph, he was a bona fide superstar who homered in eight consecutive games, tying the MLB record. 

That season also launched a stunning run of seven 40-plus home run seasons in eight years - only interrupted in 1995 when he was out half the season with a broken wrist.

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