i guess this is what happens when you retire just a month and a half into the season, even if you are one of the greatest to ever play the game. ken griffey jr walked away from the mariners and baseball in may of 2010, and when 2011 rolled around, this was the only card i could find that featured his full career stats - a requirement for a final tribute. it comes from the 2011 tristar obak set
here's the back
junior had 18 hits (no home runs) for the mariners in 2010 before calling it quits. i wonder if there had been a 2010 upper deck series 2 if they would have recognized his retirement. i also wonder why topps didn't acknowledge it in the 2010 update & highlights set. or at least give him a checklist in 2011. he finally showed up in the 2013 topps update set as a short print, but that doesn't really count as a final tribute in my book since it wasn't issued in the year after his retirement. too little too late, i guess.
2 comments:
I hate this Obak card. And you're exactly right - Junior's retirement was grossly mishandled by every major brand. Shame.
I never really thought about it, but you are correct me friend! The card companies missed out as did Jr fans! Quite disappointing
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