Mike Griffin arrived in Brooklyn in 1891, a seasoned 26-year-old outfielder who had already established himself as a premier run-scorer and a defensive vacuum in center field. While his journey in the borough began after a stint in the short-lived Players' League
In his inaugural season in Brooklyn, Griffin attained a remarkable level of situational hitting, leading the National League with 36 doubles and recording a career-high 65 stolen bases. He demonstrated comprehensive mastery of the outfield, earning recognition as one of the finest defensive center fielders of his era, while establishing a statistically significant pattern of consistent high-volume performance. He reached a level of durability that enabled him to score over 100 runs in nearly every full season he played in Brooklyn, proving to be the primary catalyst for a team that depended on his ability to generate runs from the top of the batting order.
Griffin's impressive 1894-1898 run saw him batting at least .300 for five seasons, peaking at .358 in 1894. He became a key player, team captain, and briefly interim manager in 1898. As good as he was, Griffin would have one of the most acrimonious exits in baseball history.
After the 1898 season, Griffin was surprised when the organization finalized a "syndicate" merger with the Baltimore Orioles, ending his playing days. He refused to sign a contract with new manager Ned Hanlon for less than his previous $3,500. His contract was sold to Cleveland and St. Louis, but Griffin decided his career was over. He ended his career by winning a $2,300 lawsuit against Brooklyn for breach of contract, a symbolic victory at age 33.
His end with Brooklyn was not pretty, but his play was solid, with a .305 Batting Average, 1,168 Hits, and 264 Stolen Bases.
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