At 40 years old, the end appears to have arrived for Ken Griffey Jr.  With the future Hall of Famer struggling to stay above the Mendoza line and reportedly falling asleep in the clubhouse during games, many around the Mariners’ organization are regretting bringing back the veteran for one more year.

He returned to Seattle last year in what appeared to be the perfect curtain call. Though he only batted .208 he did manage to jack 19 longballs and hit 57 RBI while giving the Mariners’ fans one last chance to say goodbye.

The only problem is Griffey didn’t say goodbye. He came back for yet another season. The Mariners seemed to be early favorites in the AL West after a busy offseason that included acquiring ace Cliff Lee and signing free agent Chone Figgins. The signings have not translated into wins though and the fans are not happy.

An article in the Tacoma News-Tribune on Monday stated that the Mariners “are going to ask Junior to retire gracefully. If he doesn’t, the end of Griffey’s career will come, anyway – by way of a release from the Seattle Mariners.  All that is going to happen, probably this month.”

Griffey denied the reports on Tuesday and answered the suggestion that his the end is going to come sooner rather than later.

Griffey's response to the possibility of retiring was a firm, "No."

As for what might make him consider not playing out the season, he said, "I'll figure it out if I get to that point."

MLB seattle mariners, ken griffey jr.