This has been a brutal week in the real world, but an outstanding week in whatever world is ruled by Instagram posts featuring ballplayers bridging generational gaps.
A few days back, Bryce Harper and Vin Scully were photographed in mid-conversation, with Harper using his caption to express his respect and admiration for Scully. Later in the week, the subjects involved were Ken Griffey Jr. (known as "The Harper of the Olds" to today's children) and President Barack Obama.
Here's the pic (hat tip: Cut4):
While the age difference between Griffey Jr. (46) and President Obama (54) doesn't exceed the one between Harper and Scully, the cultural significance does. In addition to seemingly saving baseball in Seattle, Griffey Jr. helped show a new generation that ballplayers can be good and cool at the same time. Obama's significance is both obvious and well-documented.
As for the South Side connection Griffey Jr. mentions, consider it more evidence that time flies. Griffey Jr.'s stint with the White Sox actually predates Obama's presidency, meaning that, yes, we're nearly eight years removed from The Kid's final postseason appearance.
Rumor has it we're all getting old.
