The Braves' Jason Heyward spent the first three months of the season earning enough attention and acclaim to become the youngest Major Leaguer to be elected an All-Star starter since Ken Griffey Jr. in 1990.

Ken Griffey Sr. said Friday in a telephone interview with The Associated Press that his son "sounds very happy" and relieved with his decision to abruptly walk away from baseball in the middle of his 22nd season.
Ken Griffey Jr., who announced his retirement prior to the Mariners' 2-1 win over the Twins on Wednesday, is more than likely a first-ballot Hall of Famer, and in Vernon Wells' eyes, one of the best all-around players in baseball history.
One of its great All-Star Game fixtures was lost on Wednesday, when Ken Griffey Jr. announced his retirement. But in April, it gained another slugging left-handed-hitting outfielder, when the Braves' Jason Heyward graced the Major Leagues with his presence.

In the final months before his abrupt retirement Wednesday, Ken Griffey Jr. struggled so mightily manager Don Wakamatsu met with the Seattle icon last month and told him he was benching him.
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