So this is what happens when you retire amid an officiating scandal

The statement came and went with little fanfare. Which, if you knew the player, seemed a bit out of character. Once thought to be the most formidable player in baseball, his chances at eclipsing Hank Aaron's home run record were hampered by injuries that would follow him throughout his career.

And yet his sheer and inimitable talent cannot be denied.

Hate him or love him, true baseball fans have stared in reverent wonderment at his flawless, effortless swing... have witnessed the speed, the agility, the glove of one of the MLB's finest. And it was a glorious sight to behold.

With 630 career home runs (to you lay-people this is a lot, like "the-fifth-highest-of-all-time" lot), 13 All Star appearances, 10 Gold Gloves and one AL MVP award, Ken Griffey Junior's talent is irrefutable. His announcement of retirement may have been timely... but is there ever a good time to say goodbye to such a great player? Part of me wishes he would have just stuck out the season, but I think he just knew it was time. Knew that it was time to put away his glove and his bat, to retire the "swing of all swings."

And I, for one, am going to miss that swing.