Ken Griffey Jr. Excited for Hall of Fame Induction

In just about 12 hours, Mike Piazza and Ken Griffey Jr. will take their place among baseball’s best. On Sunday afternoon in Cooperstown, two of baseball’s biggest stars will be immortalized in the baseball world.

“Wow,” Griffey Jr. said at Saturday afternoons press conference. “I’m excited. Thank you guys for doing this, this is such an honor. I am overwhelmed and excited at the same time.”

Griffey will be joined by his family, fans and friends as he receives his beloved Hall of Fame plaque.

“I have a friend that came from Israel to be here,” the 13-time all-star said. “It’s something that I cannot describe. I think my dad has a bigger grin than I do. I am looking forward to it.”

In 1987, Griffey was selected No. 1 overall by the Seattle Mariners.

“I got drafted and worked hard in the minor league system,” Griffey Jr. said. “I had the opportunity to become a big league ballplayer. I grew up and my dad always told me to work hard and do things right and you will be rewarded.”

After being drafted, Griffey was relieved knowing he was in and had a chance to excel.

“The hardest part is being drafted,” Griffey Jr. said. “Once you get your foot in the door, anything goes. You’re only a first round pick once. For me it was just work day in and day out, don’t take no for an answer and do your job.”

With 630 career home runs, Griffey Jr. certainly did his job, but on Sunday he will have a new one, delivering a Hall of Fame speech.

“They just told me to keep it quick,” Griffey said about the advice fellow hall of famers have given him. “Just keep it under four minutes and we will be good to go so if I’m speaking a little too fast it is for the 48 other guys behind me.”

As for his Hall of Fame ring, if you plan on being at the Griffey residence you better believe it’ll be front and center.

“I’m going to put it front and center of the house,” Griffey said with a chuckle. “It might be on the gate when you ring in, there will be a lot of people seeing it. It might even be like the Stanley Cup where I’ll bring it around everywhere I go. It’ll be seen.”