News
Griffey's first Opening Day victim reflects
Former hurler Blyleven doesn't remember slugger's shot
By Jim Street / MLB.com
04/07/09 9:42 PM ET
MINNEAPOLIS -- The home run that started Ken Griffey Jr. toward a Major League record that he shares with Hall of Fame outfielder Frank Robinson has long been removed from pitcher-turned-broadcaster Bert Blyleven's memory bank. "I don't remember it," Blyleven said Tuesday. On April 9, 1990, at Anaheim Stadium, Griffey hit a three-run home run in the fifth inning to power the Mariners to a 7-4 Opening Day victory over the Angels. Blyleven started the game, took the loss and became the first of seven pitchers to surrender a home run to Griffey in the first game of a regular season. Other victims include: • Jack Morris, Blue Jays, in 1993.• Sean Bergman, Tigers, 1995.
• David Cone, Yankees, 1997 (two home runs).
• Charles Nagy, Indians, 1998.
• James Baldwin, White Sox, 1999.
• Francisco Liriano, Twins, 2009.
When you surrender 430 home runs during a 22-year Major League career the way Blyleven did, it figures that he would not remember them all.
"I can't even remember what I had for breakfast this morning," the Twins TV analyst said prior to Tuesday night's game. The record-tying home run left Griffey even with the godfather of his third child, Tevin, and came on Blyleven's 58th birthday. The right-hander was a 38-year-old veteran winding down a splendid 22-year MLB career when he faced Griffey that night in Anaheim. Junior was in the second year of a 20-year-and-counting MLB career. "I remember him having such a sweet swing," Blyleven recalled. "He still has such an even swing, a lot like George Brett had. When they made contact, the ball just explodes off the bat." Blyleven was in the home TV booth Monday night when Griffey led off the fifth inning with a home run to right field off Twins left-hander Francisco Liriano. "Frankie told me he hung a slider," Blyleven said, "and that's why Griffey has 612 home runs. He doesn't miss pitches like that." "He has a powerful swing, good extension and good explosion. He has God-given ability and taken it to a level that will get him into the Hall of Fame someday."Jim Street is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
