Here’s an infographic by Craig Robinson plotting out the day-by-day progress of the three main contenders in the 1998 home run chase. I had completely forgotten that Ken Griffey, Jr. was a part of this race in the beginning. He ended the season in pretty great shape, even if he didn’t pass Maris’s mark.
Click on the image for a larger view.
He’s such an interesting bird as opposed to an armadillo of forearm bash and power. I love both types of home run hitters, but have a huge soft spot for Griffey, because he recovered from his attempted suicide as an 18 year old and because what a freaking player on every level, chasing down balls up and down walls and that swing…..butter, absolutely perfect.
Griffey was amazing. When he and A-Rod were both on the Mariners (before A-Rod turned into such a jerk), I would sometimes watch M’s games just to see the two of them.