My inner sports fan rejoices

I stayed up late last night (10:00 - don't laugh that day will come to you too) so I could watch Ken Griffey Jr play in the All-Star game. It has been so long since I got a chance to watch Griffey play and I missed it. He was my favorite player when I was a kid. I have all his rookie cards and over 100 other cards of his. I had to be one of the few Seattle Mariner fans in rural South Carolina.

I never played baseball, but I just loved the way he played the game. He was graceful in the outfield and at the plate. I can't say how much it means to me to see him return (as much as possible) to his previous form and start in the All-Star game. The RBI single up the middle showcased that beautiful swing and then his gunning down of A-Rod at the plate showed he still had the defense and the arm. It seems like I'm not the only one who enjoyed seeing Griffey back.

It was also nice to go to ESPN.com today and see this story. Here's me hoping that Redick can find his range in the NBA. It took fellow Duke standout Carlos Boozer several years before he established himself. Now, he is a legitimate star in the league.

As much as I have grown up and don't spend nearly as much time interested in sports anymore, it still gives me a special feeling to see my favorite athletes doing well. I'm just hoping Grant Hill can turn it around in Phoenix, after struggling much like Griffey did with injuries after he was traded.