There are very few sports teams that bring me more aggravation than the Lakers.
I’ve also never been a Lebron James fan.
Having said all of that, that above picture is pretty fucking great.
Would Bronnie be on an NBA roster if he was anyone else’s kid?
Probably not but let’s not lose sight of this being a cool moment.
So while, I did appreciate that picture and last night’s game, it felt a little incomplete.
The Griffeys should absolutely be honored but so should the other MLB father/son duo: The Raines.
Tim Raines was a fantastic Hall Of Famer who spent his entire career in someone’s shadow.
Raines led the National League in stolen bases each year from 1981-84.
Henderson did the same in the AL but broke the all-time record with 130 in 1982.
He did win two World Series with the Yankees in 1996 and 1998.
In 1999, he developed lupus and wound up sitting out the entire 2000 season.
In 2001, he was brought back the Expos as a role player off the bench.
Tim Raines, Jr. was a 22 year old outfielder who was speedy prospect with little power.
The 2001 Orioles were pretty terrible and wound up losing 98 games.
At this point in the season, they were just looking at options for the future.
Raines, Jr. made his debut on October 1st.
The 2001 season ran a week longer than usual because of the week off after 9/11.
They wound up playing four games together.
Despite both Raines playing beyond this 2001 season, they would never play together again.
Tim Raines, Sr. wound up playing in 2002 for the Marlins before retiring after that season.
Raines, Jr. spent all of 2002 in the minor leagues and then was with the Orioles in 2003-04.
People were never going to remember the Raines like the Griffeys.
As great as Tim Raines was, Ken Griffey Jr. is a great among greats.
Tim Raines, Jr. played 75 MLB games.
On the other hand, Tim Raines is a Hall of Famer.
This isn’t a father and son duo where neither player was memorable.
You could make a case Raines was the best player in Expos history.
But that’s what Raines has had to deal with his throughout his entire career.
Being the franchise player for a team that no longer exists.
Being the second father/son duo to play in the major leagues.
