Flashing across the wires now. Hell of a career, sure-fire Hall-of-Famer, possibly best of his generation, would have been one for the ages had he not been hurt so much in the '00s. Seattle Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu says Ken Griffey Jr. is retiring. Wakamatsu made the announcement before Wednesday night's game against Minnesota. Griffey's retirement is effective immediately. The 40-year-old Griffey was one of baseball's greatest players before injuries began to take their toll. The perennial All-Star outfielder ranks fifth on the career home run list with 630. Griffey was hitting only .184 this season and recently went a week without playing.