Seattle Mariners’ Jay Bruce, right, is congratulated by teammate Daniel Vogelbach, left, after his solo home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner) Orlin Wagner AP
Jay Bruce was raised Beaumont, Texas. But like so many other young baseball players who grew up in the 1990s, he was captivated by a future Hall of Famer who was lighting up Seattle.
Bruce revered Ken Griffey Jr. He wanted to be like the former Mariners slugger. He once even called the Kingdome — without success — asking if he could speak to Griffey.