jjmoney62 wrote:
In the late '90s, it was a common assumption that Griffey would break Aaron's record.
Yes. Being so good so young put him on a great pace.
Taking time off during the winters to heal from diving and crashing into walls led to a lack of conditioning. An over-reliance on natural ability might have been even a greater factor in not working out sufficiently.
Griffey's legs in particular tightened at a young age. He didn't lose strength as much as he lost flexibility. When he's healthy he's still good, but with his frame grown stiff and brittle, he's missed many hundreds of at-bats since the late '90s.
Whatever one thinks of Bonds, he deserves credit for staying in shape during his thirties. And Griffey deserves credit for playing spectacularly and recklessly in centerfield until the injuries caught up with him.