In his prime, Ken Griffey Jr. was considered the best player in baseball, on pace to rewrite the record books.

Injuries derailed his chance to become the home run king. His spot as one of the game's all-time greats is without question.

Now relegated to part-time duty and with little pop left in that perfect swing, Griffey unexpectedly decided Wednesday night to retire after 22 mostly brilliant seasons.

The Kid that once saved baseball in the Pacific Northwest with his backward hat, giddy teenage smile and unrivaled talent, had become a shell of the player who dominated the 1990s.

The 40-year-old Griffey wasn't at Safeco Field on Wednesday. He simply released a statement through the Seattle Mariners -- the franchise he helped saved in the 1990s and returned to for the conclusion of his career -- that he was done playing.

Griffey said good-bye before Seattle played the Minnesota Twins after 13 All-Star appearances, 630 homers -- fifth on the career list -- and 1,836 RBIs. He's an almost certain first-ballot Hall of Famer.

There will be no farewell tour, just as Griffey wanted. He called Mariners' team president Chuck Armstrong and said he was done playing.

Tampa bay 7, Toronto 3: David Price became the American League's first eight-game winner and Carl Crawford hit a grand slam as the visiting Rays rallied in the ninth inning.

New York 9, Baltimore 1: Nick Swisher and ex-Tiger Curtis Granderson hit two-run doubles in the second inning to back another stingy start by Phil Hughes, who struck out seven in seven innings for the host Yankees.

Boston 6, Oakland 4: David Ortiz hit a two-run homer to help the host Red Sox rally for the second straight game. Los Angeles 7, Kansas City 2: Torii Hunter homered and drove in three runs to help the visiting Angels win their sixth in eight games.

Texas 9, Chicago 5: Former Tiger Matt Treanor homered and drove in a career-high four runs for the visiting Rangers.