ig deal. I dont take what I did lightly and tomorrow is definitely one of those things that it is special and its pretty neat, Griffey said. I g

SEATTLE -- Just as much as the smile and the backward hat, the sweet swings and the 630 home runs, the No. 24 became synonymous with Ken Griffey Jr.Griffey chose it after hitting 24 home runs one season between his high school and summer baseball teams, and he wore it throughout his 13 seasons with the Mariners.Baseball is all about numbers. Some of the greatest players to play in sports wore 24. It wasnt planned but it was definitely one of the things when I signed my first contract that was one of the things I asked for was to be able to wear 24, Griffey said on Friday. Its extremely important. If you look at my first apartment in Seattle, it was 1124. My house number was 24606. There is a lot of things that have to do with 24.Griffey is back in Seattle this weekend to see that famous No. 24 retired by the Mariners. His number retirement comes less than two weeks after he became the first player to go into the Hall of Fame as a Mariner. His number will be the first retired by the Mariners, and it will be set aside throughout the organization, not just with the major league club. The whole team will wear No. 24 during batting practice Saturday, and then it will be shelved forever.Griffey sounded humbled by the honor when he spoke on Friday, in part because his number will hang next to Jackie Robinsons No. 42 -- retired throughout baseball -- as the only numbers honored at Safeco Field.An organization has to feel that its worthy and I know there are certain criteria that have to be met to even be mentioned and for a team to do that is the ultimate sign of respect for what you did on the field. Its overwhelming, humbling because of the guy, the number Im going up next to, who basically sacrificed his life for guys to play and thats Jackie Robinson, Griffey said. Its a weird feeling because of what hes done and to allow pretty much everyone to play this game. And Im going to be right next to him, so I havent really had a total grasp on it.Seattle is pulling out all the stops for Griffeys final honor of the summer, including commemorative hats, bases and balls for the games. Saturdays retirement program could run as long as an hour in front of what could be the largest crowd ever at Safeco Field.Griffey started Friday by raising a No. 24 flag atop the Space Needle that will fly through the weekend, then spent time in the afternoon posing for pictures with Mariners staff next to his Hall of Fame plaque that is on display. Even former teammate Edgar Martinez, now Seattles hitting coach, had his picture taken with the plaque in the Mariners clubhouse.Griffey has not watched the television replay of his emotional Hall of Fame speech and doesnt intend to soon. In the days since the speech -- where he took numerous breaks to try and control his emotions -- Griffey said the most constant message hes received is we finally get to know who you are.I said, `You all did. I played baseball. I played center field, Griffey said. Theyre all, `No, you were a little different in your speech.And he didnt expect his speech on Saturday to be any easier to deliver.Its a big deal. I dont take what I did lightly and tomorrow is definitely one of those things that it is special and its pretty neat, Griffey said. I get to enjoy it with the people who have seen me from a teenager to a 40-year-old. Tony Pollard Youth Jersey . Once again Jordan Cieciwa (@FitCityJordan) and I (@LynchOnSports) go head to head in our picks. Last weekend at UFC Fight Night 32 my #TeamLynch got the best of #TeamJC by a score of 9-6. Let us know which side youre on for UFC 167 use the hashtag #TeamLynch or #TeamJC on Twitter. Tony Pollard Jersey . 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RAMALLAH, West Bank -- The Palestinian Olympic committee says its delegations uniforms are being held up by Israeli authorities.Munther Masalmeh, the secretary-general of the Palestinian Olympic committee, says clothes and equipment purchased for the team have yet to clear customs. He says the team of six was forced to leave for Rio de Janeiro without them.The Israel Tax Authority, which oversees customs, says it has heard nothing of the matter but would be happy to assist if appproached by the Palestinians.ddddddddddddIsrael and the Palestinians have clashed before over sporting issues. The Palestinians previously called on FIFA to expel Israel from tournaments over restrictions it has placed on its players movements. Israel says some Palestinian athletes have militant ties and the restrictions are purely security measures. ' ' '