Our Un-Enlightenment

I’ll allow President-elect Barack Obama, one of my favorite political leaders, take a step out of the limelight for this week, in favor of one of my all-time favorite athletes.

This week, Ken Griffey, Jr. was introduced as an American Public Diplomacy Envoy by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. He will travel around the world to speak with kids about America and its culture.

Lucky kids. If I was 10 again, I might move to Panama just for the chance to meet with Griffey. I might even do it now.

This guy was the face of Nintendo 64 for me. The baseball video game touting Griff on its cover was and is the sole reason I ever began paying attention to our national pastime. Call me a communist or a video game-loving nerd, but it’s the truth. If it wasn’t for the second Ken Griffey, I wouldn’t give a hoot about the diamond.

I’m happy to see him rise to position where he can represent our nation — hopefully he can transfer his success on he field to the international diplomatic stage.

I’m sure he’ll knock this gig out of the park.