Hall of Fame open to Griffey's hat backwards on plaque

by The Associated Press
Mitchell Layton / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Ken Griffey Jr. became a huge star in Seattle, then beelined back home to play in Cincinnati.

Now that he's capped off his career with a trip to Cooperstown, a juicy question: Will Junior wear a Mariners or Reds hat on his Hall of Fame plaque?

Or maybe there's a third option, as reigning NL MVP Bryce Harper tweeted Wednesday.

That's how Griffey often flipped his lid, having fun while getting ready for games.

''I haven't really thought about the hat backwards,'' Griffey later said on a conference call.

As to his preference, he added: ''I'll think more about it tomorrow.''

The Hall of Fame actually makes the final call on caps. New inductees can express their wishes and talk it over with the Hall staff, but they don't get the last say. According to ESPN's Jim Bowden, the Hall of Fame left open the possibility of Griffey Jr.'s hat being on backwards on his plaque.

Griffey's best years came in Seattle. The slugging center fielder was an All-Star and Gold Glove winner for 10 straight seasons with the Mariners, and rejoined them to close his career.

Griffey played nine seasons with the Reds, often slowed by injuries. He hit 417 homers for Seattle and 210 for Cincinnati.

- With files from theScore

The Digest

Everything you need to know about the 2016 Hall of Fame vote

by theScore staff
The Sporting News / Sporting News / Getty

The votes are in and the tickets are punched: Ken Griffey Jr. and Mike Piazza are headed for Cooperstown.

Griffey's record-setting election - he appeared on an unprecedented 437 of the 440 ballots submitted by the BBWAA - puts a bow on the career of one of the greatest players in baseball history.

Wednesday's announcement also marks the first time a No. 1 pick has gained entrance into Cooperstown, a stark contrast to the distinction held by Piazza as the lowest-drafted player voted to the Hall.

That and other storylines dominating the 2016 Hall of Fame discussion:

NEXT STOP: COOPERSTOWN

ALL ABOUT THE KID

JUICED UP RESULTS

END OF THE ROAD

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