The Griffeys and James' Aren't The Only Father-Son Teammates In Sports History

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There are very few sports teams that bring me more aggravation than the Lakers. I've also never been a Lebron James fan. Getting to be there for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals duel when Paul Pierce beat Lebron is one of my favorite games I've been to.

Having said all of that, that above picture is pretty fucking great. Would Bronnie be on an NBA roster if he was anyone else's kid? Probably not but let's not lose sight of this being a cool moment. Bronnie might not be a future all-star but he's still good enough to play relatively competent in the NBA alongside his dad. It's ok to appreciate that element and still think the Lakers are underachieving, have a flawed roster and hope they lose 70 games in horrifying fashion.

So while, I did appreciate that picture and last night's game, it felt a little incomplete. The Griffeys should absolutely be honored but so should the other MLB father/son duo: The Raines.

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Tim Raines was a fantastic Hall Of Famer who spent his entire career in someone's shadow. He was one of the greatest leadoff hitters in baseball history but had the misfortune of having his peak align exactly with Rickey Henderson's. Raines led the National League in stolen bases each year from 1981-84. Henderson did the same in the AL but broke the all-time record with 130 in 1982. 

After the Expos, Raines wound up playing key roles on good Chicago White Sox teams and great New York Yankees teams. But once again, he was overshadowed by Frank Thomas and then Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams and other greats. He did win two World Series with the Yankees in 1996 and 1998. In 1999, he developed lupus and wound up sitting out the entire 2000 season.

In 2001, he was brought back the Expos as a role player off the bench. He was 41 years old at the time and this seemed like it would be a nice farewell season in Montreal, where his career began and he had his best seasons. In fact, it was exactly like that until the Orioles called up a prospect who made his MLB debut in October.

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Tim Raines, Jr. was a 22 year old outfielder who was speedy prospect with little power. The 2001 Orioles were pretty terrible and wound up losing 98 games. At this point in the season, they were just looking at options for the future. Raines, Jr. made his debut on October 1st. Two days later, the Expos "traded" (really gave away) Tim Raines, Sr. so he could play with his son.

The 2001 season ran a week longer than usual because of the week off after 9/11. They wound up playing four games together. In one game, Raines Sr. hit a home run and in another Tim Raines, Jr. stole a base. Despite both Raines playing beyond this 2001 season, they would never play together again. Tim Raines, Sr. wound up playing in 2002 for the Marlins before retiring after that season. Raines, Jr. spent all of 2002 in the minor leagues and then was with the Orioles in 2003-04.

People were never going to remember the Raines like the Griffeys. As great as Tim Raines was, Ken Griffey Jr. is a great among greats. Plus, Ken Griffey Sr. had a very good career winning two titles with the Big Red Machine and had 2,143 hits. Tim Raines, Jr. played 75 MLB games.

On the other hand, Tim Raines is a Hall of Famer. This isn't a father and son duo where neither player was memorable. You could make a case Raines was the best player in Expos history. But that's what Raines has had to deal with his throughout his entire career. Being the franchise player for a team that no longer exists. Being great at something at the same exact time the best ever was also great at the same exact thing. Being the second father/son duo to play in the major leagues.

Then again, being a Hall Of Famer with two World Series rings and getting to play with your kid makes being overshadowed pretty worth it.