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Griffey becomes first Mariner inducted into Hall of Fame

Alex Trautwig / Major League Baseball / Getty

Ken Griffey Jr., who was elected to Cooperstown with a record 99.3-percent vote, became the first Seattle Mariners player in history to be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Sunday.

Here's a brief look at his legendary 22-year career:

Full name: George Kenneth Griffey Jr.
Position: Center fielder
Born: Nov. 21, 1969 in Stan Musial's hometown of Donora, Pennsylvania, on Musial's 49th birthday.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 195 pounds | Bats: Left, Throws: Left

Related: Griffey's Hall of Fame career by the numbers

Grew up in Cincinnati watching his father, Ken Griffey Sr., play outfield for the Reds. ... Selected first overall in 1987 amateur draft. ... Made major league debut on opening day 1989 against the defending American League champion Athletics and doubled off ace Dave Stewart in his first at-bat.

  • With his father in 1990, became the first father-son duo to play together in MLB history and they also hit back-to-back homers in one game.
  • In 22 seasons hit 630 home runs, sixth all-time, had 2,781 hits and batted .284, scored 1,662 runs and had 1,836 RBIs, 15th all-time, and 5,271 total bases, 13th all-time.
  • 13-time All-Star, won 10 Gold Glove Awards and seven Silver Slugger Awards.

Seattle Mariners, 1989-1999

  • In 1993, homered in eight straight games to tie the MLB record held by Dale Long and Don Mattingly.
  • From 1993-2000 had seven 40-plus home run reasons, interrupted only by a broken wrist that cost him half of 1995 season.
  • Led AL in home runs three times from 1996-99, hitting 56 in both 1997 and 1998.
  • In October 1995, became just the second player (Reggie Jackson in the 1977 World Series is the other) to hit five home runs in a single postseason series.
  • Named AL MVP in 1997, totaling 393 bases and leading the league in runs (125) and RBIs (147).

Cincinnati Reds, 2000-2008

  • Traded by Seattle to the Reds following the 1999 season for four prospects. Signed nine-year deal with Reds worth $116 million.
  • Named to baseball's All-Century Team in 1999.
  • Hit 40 home runs and drove in 118 runs in 2000.
  • From 2001-04, played fewer than 80 games per year on average due to hamstring tears, knee problems, a dislocated shoulder, and ankle tendon ruptures.
  • Hit 35 homers in 2005 and captured NL Comeback Player of the Year Award.
  • Reached 30-home run mark again in 2007, earning final All-Star Game selection.
  • Finished career as a bench player for the White Sox and Mariners. Retired early in the 2010 season.

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