What's Good for Ken Griffey Jr. isn't for Me

My weekend visit to Nationals Park was destined to be historic, despite the abysmal team that calls it home.

I was going to Saturday's game between the Washington Nationals and the Cincinnati Reds, with Reds star Ken Griffey Jr. one home run away from tying Sammy Sosa for fifth all-time at 609.

But then a blockbuster deal happened.

Griffey approved a trade to the Chicago White Sox on Thursday before the 4 p.m. trade deadline, meaning another missed milestone for me. I had the opportunity to spend about six weeks in Spain this summer, and I enjoyed soaking in the glory of Spain's run to the EuroCup championship. There was only one problem: my flight home was scheduled for the day of the Euro 2008 championship game between Spain and Germany. The hassle of re-scheduling wasn't worth it to me — but I missed Spain's first EuroCup title since 1964, in the most popular European sport.

So missing Griffey is just another walk in the park. Unfortunately, I won't see his 609th home run leave the park — that historic shot will happen in a White Sox uniform.