One of the most memorable stories about Ken Griffey Jr. happened during the 1995 American League Division Series between the Seattle Mariners and the New York Yankees.
In the bottom of the 11th inning of Game 5, with the score tied at 5-5, Griffey Jr. came up to bat with one out and a runner on first base. He proceeded to hit a deep fly ball to right-center field that seemed destined to go over the fence for a walk-off home run and send the Mariners to the AL Championship Series.
But as the ball sailed through the air, Yankees outfielder Tony Tarasco raced back to the wall and appeared to have a chance to make the catch. That's when a 19-year-old fan named Tim Martinez, who was sitting in the first row of seats behind the wall, reached out and caught the ball with his glove.
Tarasco immediately protested, arguing that he would have caught the ball if not for Martinez's interference. The umpires huddled together to discuss the play, but ultimately ruled that the home run would stand, giving the Mariners the victory.
Griffey Jr. was mobbed by his teammates as he rounded the bases, and Martinez became an instant celebrity in Seattle. The young fan even appeared on "The Late Show with David Letterman" to talk about his catch.
The play became known as "The Double" in Seattle sports lore, and Griffey Jr.'s home run remains one of the most iconic moments in Mariners history. It was a fitting moment for one of the greatest players in baseball history, and a testament to his clutch performances in pressure situations.
