Mike Griffin

On April 16, 1887, Michael J. Griffin stepped to the plate in the first inning of a game between the Baltimore and Philadelphia clubs of the American Association. In his first major league at-bat, Griffin would enter the record books by homering off Philadelphia's Ed Seward. Griffin became either the first or second player to homer in his first major league at-bat. (George Tebeau of Cincinnati also accomplished the feat on the same day. Research has yet to determine which was "officially" first.) While it wasn't a portent of Griffin becoming a great home run hitter, that first time rounding the bases was the beginning of one of the finest careers in 19th century major league baseball.

Sever has picked a guy who knows how to cross home plate. His career average of .94 runs per game is #6 on the all-time list. In 1889, he scored 1.11 runs per game! In his 12 major league seasons, Griffin scored 100 runs ten times, a mark reached by only 17 players in history. Of these, only two of those eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame have not been inducted-Mike Griffin and George Van Haltren. He also accomplished the equally rare feat of averaging more than a run a game in six different seasons.

Griffin was often called the finest center fielder of his era. Five times he led the National League in fielding percentage for outfielders. He also led in putouts three times. His 3.0 range factor in 1891 and 1894 ranks second on the Dodger all-time list behind Jigger Statz's 3.16 in 1917. Bill James rates him as the 45th best CF.

When Charles Ebbets released him rather than pay him the $3500 he was owed, Griffin refused to report to Cleveland. Instead, he challenged Ebbets in court and won. He never played again.

In April of 1908, Griffin became ill with pneumonia, and his condition rapidly deteriorated. On April 10, the 43-year-old Griffin passed away.