Right now Im catching her while shes maybe

SEATTLE -- Ken Griffey Jr. strode out from beyond the center-field wall, walked deliberately between the 2 and 4 emblazed on the Safeco Field grass, kissed his fingers and reached to touch the spot of the field he once patrolled.There was one more honor for The Kid this summer, and Griffey soaked up every moment.Griffeys No. 24 was retired by the Seattle Mariners on Saturday night with an emotional outpouring from fans that had the new Hall of Famer fighting back tears. The Mariners retired the number throughout the organization, and the final time it was worn came during batting practice when every member of the roster and coaching staff took the field with No. 24 on their jersey.The nearly hour-long program included former teammates, special Hall of Fame guests from other sports and an eloquent five-minute video narrated by Grammy Award rapper Macklemore that brought the stadium to its feet and left very few dry eyes.It also included a video message from Willie Mays, who chided Griffey for not returning Mays call after Griffeys Hall of Fame induction was announced in January. So Griffey pulled out his cellphone and called Mays -- but had to leave a message, he said.Griffey entered the stadium, appropriately, through center field, stopping along the way in the sun-drenched outfield to acknowledge the roaring ovation. It was an opportunity for those who didnt make the trip to see Griffey inducted in Cooperstown to give their thanks for what Griffey meant to baseball in the Pacific Northwest.I cant really explain what the last two weeks have been like. Its been unforgettable, Griffey said. The fans, the people, I walk down the street and Im getting high-fives like I just scored again. Thats a tribute to you guys here, the way that you treat baseball players, basketball players, football players like people. You make us feel like part of the community, and I want to thank you guys.Griffey managed to maintain his composure until it came time for the unveiling of his retired number. The Mariners quietly pulled his daughter, Taryn, from the on-field ceremony and repositioned her in left-center field to pull the curtain that was covering the No. 24, placed right next to Jackie Robinsons No. 42.Griffey couldnt hold back the tears at that point, dabbing his eyes with his tie.Its only fitting from here forward Kens No. 24 will be displayed next to Jackie Robinsons No. 42, Mariners president Kevin Mather said.Mather also announced that the team will construct a statue of Griffey outside of Safeco Field to be unveiled in 2017.Griffeys speech was nearly 20 minutes shorter than his Hall of Fame induction speech, and he was able to keep the emotions in check as he cracked on former teammates and honored the city where he broke in as a 19-year-old in 1989.Ive had so many great memories in this city. Its been an unbelievable ride, he said.The Mariners pulled out all the stops, including the presence of Hall of Fame players from other Seattle professional franchises. Steve Largent and Cortez Kennedy represented the Seattle Seahawks, adorned in their gold Hall of Fame blazers, while Spencer Haywood and Gary Payton represented the Seattle SuperSonics. Payton, nicknamed The Glove, presented Griffey with a bronzed glove created by the same group that made Griffeys Hall of Fame plaque.And the Mariners brought in a pair of No. 24s in the Baseball Hall of Fame with a special connection to Griffey: Rickey Henderson, a teammate in Seattle, and Tony Perez, a teammate of Griffeys father in Cincinnati. Henderson also was the punchline of the parting shot to Griffeys speech.Rickey, you were the greatest, Griffey said. Today, I am the greatest. Garrett Hampson Jersey . Its an influence in football and a big part of the game. Neifi Perez Jersey . 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LONDON -- Canadas Daniel Nestor and French partner Kristina Mladenovic won the Wimbledon mixed doubles title on Sunday by defeating top-seeds Bruno Soares of Brazil and American Lisa Raymond 5-7, 6-2, 8-6. The victory in just over two hours was the third in mixed for the 40-year-old Nestor, who teamed with his 20-year-old partner starting at the French Open a month ago. The new pair lost the final at Roland Garros, but quietly made their way through the Wimbledon draw, saving two match points in the final. "Im fortunate to play with someone that can more than do her share," said Nestor. "Shes a great player. Shes going to be one of the top singles players eventually. Right now Im catching her while shes maybe not winning four or five matches in singles. Shes winning two or three, so hopefully that will change for her. "Right now, you know, shes focusing on doubles and mixed. I think that will change one day. I caught her at the right time." Nestor also won the mixed crown at the 2007 Australian Open with Russian Ellena Likhovtseva and in 2011 in Melbourne with Katarina Srebotnik.dddddddddddd The Wimbledon honour was the 81st career title for the Canadian, who also won the mens doubles title twice. Nestor and his teammate, seeded eighth, dropped the 41-minute opening set on a late break, but quickly began a comeback early in the second with a break for 2-1. Mladenovic, watched by good friend and womens Wimbledon winner Marion Bartoli, played superb defence for the team as they broke Soares for 4-1 and levelled the sets at one apiece as Nestor fired over an easy putaway volley. The third set was tight as the contest stayed with serve. The Canadian-French team saved a pair of match points in the 12th game with a winner and then profited on a Soares error to reach 6-all in the play-it-out format. Soares dropped serve again as the top seeds trailed 6-7. A game later, Nestor wrapped up the win after a Mladenovic wrist volley clipped the net low on a first match point. The Canadian then produced a stinging backhand winner to spell the end. ' ' '