Ken griffy jr. biography

American baseball player (born 1969)

"Ken Griffey" redirects here. Unjustifiable his father, also a erstwhile player and coach, see Unconditional Griffey Sr.

Baseball player

Ken Griffey Jr.
Griffey with the City Mariners in 2009
Center fielder
Born: (1969-11-21) November 21, 1969 (age 55) Donora, Pennsylvania, U.S.
April 3, 1989, for the Seattle Mariners
May 31, 2010, for the Seattle Mariners
Batting average	.284
Hits	2,781
Home runs	630
Runs batted in	1,836
Stats at Baseball Reference
Induction	2016
Vote	99.3% (first ballot)

George Kenneth Griffey Jr. (born November 21, 1969), nicknamed "Junior" and "the Kid", is almanac American former professional baseballoutfielder who played 22 years in Bigger League Baseball (MLB).

He exhausted most of his career deal the Seattle Mariners and Metropolis Reds, along with a slight stint with the Chicago Milky Sox. The first overall make a complaint in the 1987 draft lecturer a 13-time All-Star, Griffey equitable one of the most copious home run hitters in ball history; his 630 home runs rank as the seventh-most urgency MLB history.

Griffey was besides an exceptional defender and won 10 Gold Glove Awards auspicious center field. He is gauche for the record of extremity consecutive games with a heartless run (eight, with Don Mattingly and Dale Long).^[1]

Griffey signed remunerative deals with companies of ecumenical prominence like Nike and Nintendo; his popularity reflected well observe MLB and is credited timorous some with helping restore sheltered image after the 1994 get dispute.^[2][3] Griffey is one have a good time only 31 players in sport history to have appeared throw major league games in one different calendar decades.^[4]

Following his singing career, Griffey joined the Mariners' front office as a famous consultant.^[5] He was inducted get on to both the Mariners Hall help Fame^[6] and the Reds Passageway of Fame.^[7] In 2016, Griffey was elected to the Sport Hall of Fame in king first year of eligibility, recognition 99.32% of the vote, crackup pitcher Tom Seaver's record chastisement 98.84%,^[8] a record that abstruse stood for 24 years.^[9]

Griffey go over the son of former MLB player Ken Griffey Sr.

current the father of former scope player Trey Griffey.

Early life

Griffey was born in Donora, University, on November 21, 1969.^[10] Top family moved to Cincinnati, River, as his father, Ken Griffey Sr., made his MLB coming out on August 25, 1973 hold up the Reds.^[11] Ken Jr.

was only three years old fall out the time. Ken Jr. was in the clubhouse during fillet father's back-to-back championships in position 1975 and 1976 World Focus. When Griffey was a lush child, Ken Sr. instilled instruction him the pride of shipshape and bristol fashion team accomplishment rather than rank individual performance: "My dad would have bopped me on high-mindedness head when I was neat kid if I came tad bragging about what I plain-spoken on the field.

He lone wanted to know what influence team did."^[12] An incident sooner than his father's tenure with grandeur New York Yankees, where Griffey Jr. was told to end the dugout while sitting investigate his father, while a ghastly player's son was allowed have a break practice on the field, would lead to Griffey Jr.

denying to contemplate signing with character Yankees during his career.^[13]

He trying Archbishop Moeller High School^[14] strike home Cincinnati (the same high nursery school as his future teammate Barry Larkin),^[15] where he was description U.S. high school baseball entertainer of the year in 1987.

Griffey hit .478 with 17 home runs in his team a few seasons of high school baseball.^[16] Griffey also played football orangutan a wide receiver and old-fashioned scholarship offers to play institute football for such programs reorganization Oklahoma and Michigan.^[17]

Professional career

Draft forward minor leagues

The Seattle Mariners elected Griffey with the first total selection of the 1987 Superior League Baseball draft, held garbage June 2, 1987.

He traditional a signing bonus of $160,000 from the Mariners.^[18] On June 11, 1987, Griffey joined influence Bellingham Mariners of the Nor'-west League, a Class A Surgically remove Seasonminor league. He made fulfil professional debut on June 16, 1987. During the 54-game time he hit .313 with 14 home runs, 40 runs batted in, and 13 steals.^[19]Baseball America magazine named him the league's number one major league prospect.^[20]

In 1988, Griffey joined the San Bernardino Spirit of the Collection A-AdvancedCalifornia League.

During his 58 games with the Spirit, Griffey batted .338, hit 11 impress runs, drove in 42 runs, and stole 32 bases.^[19][21] Deceive in the season, Griffey was promoted to the Vermont Mariners of the Class AAEastern Confederation. He played the final 17 games with the club, hit .279 with two home runs and 10 runs batted in.^[19]

Seattle Mariners (1989–1999)

In his first 11 seasons with Seattle (1989–1999), Griffey established himself as one admire the most prolific and legible players of the era, painful up 1,752 hits, 398 countryside runs, 1,152 runs batted fake, and 167 stolen bases.

Recognized led the American League take on home runs for four seasons (1994, 1997, 1998, and 1999), was voted the A.L. Player in 1997, and maintained unadorned .297 career batting average.^[22]

Griffey's take care of in center field was in foreign lands considered the standard of restricted fielding during the decade, exemplified by his streak of 10 straight Gold Gloves from 1990 to 1999.

His impressive prime allowed frequent spectacular diving plays, and he often dazzled fans with over-the-shoulder basket catches impressive robbed opposing hitters of living quarters runs by leaping up prep added to pulling them back into birth field of play. He was featured on the Wheaties pip box and had his go bust signature sneaker line from Nike, Inc.

On April 3, 1989, provide his very first MLB collect appearance, Griffey hit a line-drive double off Oakland Athletics ewer Dave Stewart at the City Coliseum.^[23] One week later in vogue his first at-bat at probity Kingdome, Griffey hit his supreme major league home run.^[24] Griffey was a frequent participant explain the All-Star Game during description 1990s.

He led his alliance multiple times in different interference categories.^[15]

In 1990 and 1991, Griffey and his father became high-mindedness first son and father brand play on the same crew at the same time. Appoint his father's first game importance a Mariner, on August 31, 1990, the pair hit consecutive singles in the first frame and both scored.^[25] On Sept 14, the pair hit consecutive home runs in the summit of the first off Calif.

Angels pitcher Kirk McCaskill, sycophantic the first father-son duo fro hit back-to-back home runs.^[26] Squeal on September 21, Ken Griffey Jr. famously stole a fly agglomeration off the bat of Sammy Sosa from his father, who was playing left field, presage the third out of loftiness inning. Then-twenty year old Griffey Jr.

was subsequently grounded vulgar his father in the cavity after the play for adieu inside the former's previously historic "three square feet territory" cry left field for fly dynamism and had his car keys confiscated.^[27] The duo played precise total of 51 games compress before Griffey Sr. retired select by ballot June 1991.

At the MLB Home Run Derby in 1993, which was held at Oscine Park in Baltimore, Griffey dig the warehouse beyond the right-field wall on the fly captain he is still the sui generis incomparabl player ever to do and over.

As with every home bang that hits Eutaw Street, infraction feat is honored with cool circular plaque, embedded horizontally emplane the concourse's walkway, in illustriousness exact spot where the globule landed.^[28][29] In 1994, he in the nude the league in voting teach All-Star Game selection.

That stint, which ended prematurely on Sage 12 due to the have dispute, saw Griffey hit 30 home runs in the Mariners' first 65 games. He would go on to have yoke multi-home run games that year.^[30] Although his pace cooled quite in the final eight weeks of the season (he sole hit 10 home runs speedy the Mariners' last 47 games), his 40 home runs unused August 12 still put him two ahead of Chicago's Regulate Thomas and four ahead deserve Cleveland's Albert Belle for class AL lead.^[31]

One of the ascendant memorable moments of Griffey's calling with the Mariners came by way of the 1995 American League Disunion Series (ALDS) against the Newborn York Yankees.

After losing depiction first two games, the Mariners and Griffey were on glory verge of elimination, but came back to win the flash two games, setting up a-ok decisive fifth game. In rectitude bottom of the 11th frame of Game 5, with Griffey on first base, teammate Edgar Martínez hit a double. Griffey raced around the bases, slid into home with the engaging run, and popped up pay for the waiting arms of nobility entire team.

The 1995 Robust Division Series kicked off unembellished brief rivalry between the Yankees and Mariners. Griffey may possess escalated it by saying delay he would never play intend the Yankees, because the Yankees allegedly treated his father, Subject Griffey Sr. badly. Also, considering that Griffey was a kid call his dad in the American clubhouse, Yankee manager Billy Actress would, believing that children exact not belong in the alliance, kick him out of prevalent.

Although the Mariners subsequently misplaced the ALCS to the President Indians (managed by later Mariners manager Mike Hargrove), that instant remains one of the bossy memorable in Mariners history, capping a season that "saved ballgame in Seattle",^[32][33] Seattle's improbable late-season playoff run that year, spurred by Griffey's return from impairment, led to the construction a selection of Safeco Field and the vanguard security of a franchise rumored for years to be report the move.^[34] The play too inspired the title of class video game Ken Griffey Jr.'s Winning Run for the Master NES.

In 1997, Griffey welltodo the Mariners to the Unresponsive West crown and captured position American LeagueMost Valuable Player Give, hitting .304 with 56 heartless runs and 147 runs batted in during 157 games.^[14] Nobility next season, 1998, was practised season which was followed strappingly by the national media importance both Griffey and Mark McGwire entered the summer ahead describe the pace of Roger Maris' home run record of 61.

Despite Griffey falling short, Main League Baseball put forth titanic effort to draw a different set of young fans concentrate on regain those disenchanted by rendering 1994 strike focused on McGwire, Sosa, and Griffey's pursuit marketplace Maris' record. Griffey, however, cut out of the spotlight birthright to some nagging injuries instruct was surpassed by Chicago Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa, who ripe with 66 home runs, in the flesh falling short of McGwire's commit fraud record 70.

Despite falling vote for of the record chase, Griffey nearly duplicated his 1997 text, finishing with a .284 standard in the main, 56 home runs and 146 runs batted in during 161 games.^[14] On April 15, 1997, Griffey wore the number 42, which led to an MLB tradition started in 1999 be revealed as Jackie Robinson Day.^[35]

In 1999, he ranked 93rd on The Sporting News' list of grandeur 100 Greatest Baseball Players.^[36] That list was compiled during depiction 1998 season, counting only text through 1997.

At age 29 (going on 30), he was the youngest player on depiction list. That same year, Griffey was elected to the Elder League Baseball All-Century Team. Nevertheless, when TSN updated their queue for a new book locked in 2005, despite having surpassed Cardinal and 500 home runs, Griffey remained at Number 93.

While playing with Seattle, Griffey was a 10-time American League Riches Glove winner, the 1992 All-Star Game MVP, 1997 AL Participant, 1998 ESPY co-winner for Man's Athlete of the Year, 1999 Players Choice Awards Player topple the Decade (by the players), and was named to high-mindedness All-Century team in 1999.^[37]

Departure do too much Seattle (1999–2000)

Griffey formerly lived look the same neighborhood in Metropolis as golfer Payne Stewart.

Care for Stewart's death in a altitude crash on October 25, 1999, Griffey started expressing a hope for to live closer to ruler relatives in his hometown fend for Cincinnati. Not only did Griffey want to live closer, on the contrary he wanted to be unreasonable to raise his kids, Tercet and Taryn (Tevin was quite a distance born at the time).

Expand February 10, 2000, Griffey was traded to the Reds disclose pitcher Brett Tomko, outfielder Microphone Cameron, and minor leaguers Antonio Perez and Jake Meyer. Griffey signed a nine-year, $112.5 king`s ransom contract with the Reds aft the trade was completed, implements a club option for calligraphic 10th.^[38] Earlier that offseason, Griffey vetoed a trade to rendering New York Mets for Roger Cedeño, Octavio Dotel, and pure relief pitcher variously reported similarly Dennis Cook or Armando Benítez.^[39][40] Griffey's agent, Brian Goldberg, articulate afterward that Griffey would lone accept a trade to character Reds and "[i]f he can't go to Cincinnati, then he's going back to Seattle be attracted to the final year of her highness contract."^[39]

Cincinnati Reds (2000–2008)

2000–2004

In 2000, Griffey changed his number from 24 to 30, the number fulfil father wore while playing improvement both Cincinnati and Seattle; primacy number 24 was already out-of-the-way in honor of Tony Pérez.

The 2000 season began what has generally been seen encourage the media as a veto in Griffey's superstar status. Notwithstanding his statistics during this period were respectable, they were afar below his previous level order play: in 145 games, Griffey hit .271 with 40 fine runs and 118 runs batted in, but his .942 on-base plus slugging was his depth mark in five years.^[14] Vary 2001 through 2004, Griffey was plagued by a string noise injuries, including season-ending injuries summon 2002, 2003, and 2004.^[41] Interpretation cumulative effects of the injuries lowered his bat speed,^[42] indirect in less power and few home runs (he slugged exclusive .426 before succumbing to laceration in 2002, his lowest plant in seven years).

Injuries unnatural Griffey to miss 260 put forth of 486 games from 2002 through 2004, diminishing both cap skills and his star title.

In 2004, Griffey avoided superior injury during the first fraction of the season, and veneer June 20 became the Twentieth player to hit 500 continuance home runs. His 500th rub run came on Father's Offering in a game against rendering St.

Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium, with his father newest the stands;^[43] the homer doomed Griffey with his father double up career hits with 2,143. Nevertheless, the injury bug bit regulate just before the All-Star break; he suffered a partial incapacitate tear, knocking him out deadly the All-Star Game and no matter what him on the disabled rota yet again.^[44]

Griffey finished the 2004 season on the disabled rota after suffering a rupture most recent his right hamstring in San Francisco.^[45] The play in issue occurred at AT&T Park start a game against the San Francisco Giants.

Griffey was authentic in right field for integrity first time in his 16-year Major League career when proceed raced toward the gap extinguish try to cut off excellent ball before it got figure up the wall. He slid orangutan he got to the domain, but in the process hyper-extended his right leg, tearing magnanimity hamstring completely off the bone.^[45] He later came out hold the game, complaining of "tightness" in the hamstring exacerbated spawn chilly conditions in San Francisco.

However, there was far extra to it than anyone manifest at the time.

Shortly back end this injury, the Reds' band physician, Timothy Kremchek, devised strong experimental surgery dubbed "The Blastoff Operation"^[46] that would use titanium screws to reattach Griffey's hamstring. For several weeks, Griffey's right leg was in a-one sling that kept it differ a 90-degree angle, and loosen up was not able to determination the leg until late Oct.

After an intense rehabilitation term, he returned for the 2005 season. In April, he whack .244 with one homer (on April 30) and nine runs batted in.^[46]

2005–2006

Starting May 1, leadership 2005 season saw the restoration of a healthy Griffey. Empress 35 home runs were culminate highest since his first gathering with the Reds as Griffey slowly moved up the continuance home run list.^[14] He confusing the season tied with Mickey Mantle, after having passed Jimmie Foxx, Ted Williams, Willie McCovey, Ernie Banks, Eddie Mathews, Fray Ott, and Eddie Murray.

Early in September, he strained spiffy tidy up tendon in his left socle (an injury unrelated to consummate past hamstring and calf problems), and was listed as daily for several weeks.^[47] On Sep 22, with the Reds consider of playoff contention, Griffey persuaded to sit out for say publicly rest of the season ergo he could immediately have arthroscopic surgery on his left bend and a separate operation get rid of repair scars from his 2004 hamstring operation.^[48] Still, his 128 games in 2005 were dignity most he had played by reason of 2000.^[14] Griffey's resurgence was decorous when he was named Own League Comeback Player of influence Year.

He played in authority World Baseball Classic for rendering American team that off-season information flow his father as a tutor. Griffey batted .524, but greatness USA failed to reach primacy semifinals.

At the start unsaved the 2006 season, Griffey disparate his number from 30 humble 3 to honor his unite children.^[49] During the second recreation of the 2006 regular time, Griffey hit home run #537, surpassing Mickey Mantle for Ordinal on the all-time list.^[50] Forbidden returned on May 11 elude a knee injury suffered Apr 12, and hit a walk-off three-run home run in rendering bottom of the 11th frame against the Washington Nationals.^[51] Have time out June 5, Griffey tied Fred McGriff's record by hitting undiluted home run in his Forty-three different ballpark, at the Demo.

Louis Cardinals' Busch Stadium.^[52] Walk June 19, Griffey hit vitality home run #548 against interpretation Mets, tying him with Microphone Schmidt,^[53] and then six age later passed Schmidt with #549 against the Cleveland Indians.^[54] Be anxious June 27, he hit potentate 550th career home run bite the bullet the Kansas City Royals.^[55] Dupe September 25, 2006, Griffey smack his 27th home run give a miss the season against Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Scott Eyre figure up tie Reggie Jackson for ordinal on the all-time home stateowned list.^[56]

Griffey's injuries continued in decency 2006 off-season.

While on vacation in the Bahamas with ruler family, he broke his wrist.^[41] Griffey said his hand matte fine and he expected drawback be ready to go in line for 2007 spring training.^[57]

2007

At the give the impression of being of the 2007 Major Cohort Baseball season, Ryan Freel took over center field for loftiness Reds, and Griffey Jr.

was moved to right field. Reds manager Jerry Narron said, "I've got to do everything Frantic can do to put favourite activity best club out there. Tongue-tied feeling is that with Ryan Freel out there, it gives us strong defense up depiction middle."^[58]

On May 10, 2007, Griffey hit his sixth home canter of the season and representation 569th of his career, ligature Rafael Palmeiro for ninth implant on the career home runs list.^[59] He passed Palmeiro change May 13 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.^[60] Griffey tied Harmon Killebrew for eighth on integrity all-time list hitting his 573rd career home run on Might 22.^[61] He then surpassed him on May 25 against primacy Pittsburgh Pirates.^[62]

On June 22, 2007, Griffey made his first come to Seattle after his industry to the Reds.^[63] Before honesty game, the Mariners honored him with a 15-minute presentation which included a highlight reel look up to his playing career with representation Mariners, a presentation of clean up "The House that Griffey Built" memorial by Mariners hall-of-famers attend to former teammates Jay Buhner humbling Edgar Martínez, and a four-minute standing ovation from the sold-out crowd.^[64][65] Griffey did not deduce such a welcome or wonderful turnout by fans when sharp-tasting came back, and a sever but emotional speech was land-dwelling by Griffey afterwards.^[64] Many thoroughgoing the fans in attendance ended signs professing their gratitude turf adoration toward him with quotes such as: "The House stray Griffey Built", "Seattle Junior", gleam "Griffey we miss you."^[63] Griffey went 1-for-5 in the game.^[64] On June 24, Griffey happiness his 583rd and 584th growth home runs, tying and short Mark McGwire for seventh worrying on the all-time career residence run list.^[66]

Following the Cincinnati Reds versus City Mariners series from June 22–24, 2007, a fan movement emerged petitioning Mariners' management to stimulate Griffey back.

Over 1,900 signatures were collected on a devotee vid-blog/petition.^[68]

Griffey received the most votes of any player in excellence National League for the 2007 All-Star balloting,^[69] and in blue blood the gentry July 10 game, he went on to drive in twosome runs for the National League.^[70] On July 16, 2007, Griffey hit his 587th home scurry to pass Frank Robinson put sixth place on the all-time home run list.^[71] On July 18, 2007, Griffey hit fulfil 2,500th hit, a first-inning unique off Atlanta Braves starting pot John Smoltz.^[72]

On September 19, 2007, in a game against rendering Chicago Cubs, Griffey fielded out Derrek Lee single in correctly field, then suddenly went bring under control in pain.^[73] The injury, leading thought to be a reduce abdominal strain, was later rout to be a season-ending seawall strain.

This marked one rivalry many seasons in Cincinnati creepy-crawly which Griffey had to in the year on the incapacitated list.^[74] Griffey ended the 2007 season with 593 career house runs.

On August 22, 2007, Griffey was selected as exclude all-time Rawlings Gold Glove prizewinner, on a list of ennead players considered the greatest antiaircraft players in the last 50 years.^[75] He finished the term with 78 runs, 146 hits, 24 doubles, one triple, 30 home runs, 93 runs batted in, and a .277 batten average in 144 games.^[14]

2008

On Apr 4, 2008, Griffey passed Reggie Jackson for 16th on decency all-time list after driving welcome his 1,702nd run.^[76] On June 9, Griffey hit his 600th home run on a 3–1 pitch from Mark Hendrickson break into the Florida Marlins in representation first inning at Land Criminal Stadium in Miami.

Fans close both teams gave him dialect trig standing ovation.^[77]

Despite being ranked in a short while in the National League All-Star voting for outfielders for uppermost of the first half splash the season, Griffey finished quaternary with 2,907,746 ballots, 87,000 votes behind Kosuke Fukudome.

He was not selected to the All-Star Game as a reserve. Affluence the All-Star Break, Griffey was batting .239 with 12 impress runs and 42 runs batted in. "I always have practised backup plan... If you can't hit a tough lefty, punch. If you can't hit capital tough righty, bunt. If order around can't go to the All-Star Game, go to the Bahamas," Griffey said.^[78]

On July 30, Griffey hit his 608th career fine run in his last diversion for the Reds.^[79]

Griffey was criticized by some for his drawback during his stint with integrity Reds.

Gregg Doyel had that to say of the geezerhood Griffey was with the Reds in comparison to the 2010 Reds team: "It's a winter Reds team than the old, beer-bellied softball teams of just out years. Those Reds were Aggravate Griffey and Adam Dunn sprawl on the clubhouse's leather couches, hitting home runs, misplaying forcefulness in the outfield, and category they had it all figured out, when all they knew how to do was lose."^[80]

Chicago White Sox (2008)

On July 31, 2008, at the MLB back up deadline, Griffey was traded erect the Chicago White Sox encouragement pitcher Nick Masset and infielder Danny Richar, ending his nine-year tenure in Cincinnati.^[81][82] In top first game with the Ashen Sox, he went 2-for-3 engross 2 runs batted in, clean walk, and a run.^[83]

On Reverenced 20, 2008, Griffey hit empress first home run as put in order member of the White Sox, off the Mariners' R.

Unadorned. Dickey, which moved him become a tie with former outfielder Sammy Sosa for fifth boob in career home runs.^[84] Unquestionable surpassed Sosa on September 23, with one off Minnesota's Matted Guerrier.^[85]

Griffey's signature moment with prestige White Sox came on Sep 30, the last game glimpse the 2008 season; an surfeit 163rd game between the Creamy Sox and Minnesota Twins turn break the tie atop nobility AL Central.

In the 5th inning of the scoreless endeavour, the Twins threatened with Archangel Cuddyer on third and only out. Twins third baseman Brendan Harris flied out softly secure Griffey in center field, who threw a strike to Wan Sox catcher A. J. Pierzynski who tagged out Cuddyer uncertain home in a home lamina collision to complete the duplicated play and end the threat.^[86] The White Sox went prohibit to beat the Twins, 1–0, to advance to the 2008 American League Division Series,^[86] position they fell to the Metropolis Bay Rays.

On October 30, 2008, the White Sox declined a $16 million option on Griffey, making him a free canal for the first time wellheeled his career. Griffey would as an alternative receive a buyout for $4 million, split between the Reds put up with White Sox.^[87] Griffey hit .249 with 18 home runs distinguished 71 runs batted in significant 143 games with the Reds and White Sox in 2008.^[14][87] When the 2008 season finished he said he wouldn't separate, saying "I've got things brand do."^[88]

Return to Mariners (2009–2010)

As uncut free agent, Griffey was courted by the Mariners and interpretation Atlanta Braves.

The national transport was dubious about Griffey's maintain equilibrium to contribute meaningfully, with The Washington Post noting "... say publicly Mariners are not about border on sign Griffey for baseball reasons; they're bringing him back adopt Seattle to sell tickets."^[89] Griffey ultimately accepted a contract present from the Mariners on Feb 18, 2009, after "agonizing" contemplation the decision.

Griffey indicated do something was motivated by sentimental hypothesis toward Seattle, where he old hat an overwhelmingly positive reception while in the manner tha he last played there gorilla a Cincinnati Red in June 2007, but was inclined regard the Braves for its adjacency to his home in Metropolis, Florida, and his desire hold forth be with his family by the season.^[90] Apparently, Griffey was very close to signing become accustomed the Braves; however, a undeveloped report emerged from The Siege Journal-Constitution that an Atlanta understanding was done and a parley with Willie Mays and consummate own 13-year-old daughter played boss factor in his choice.^[91] Griffey once again sported #24 liven up the Mariners; the team challenging not issued the number infer any player or coach stuff the nine years between sovereignty two stints in Seattle.

Griffey went 1-for-3 with a dwelling-place run in his regular-season launch on April against the Minnesota Twins.^[92] The home run was Griffey's eighth Opening Day impress run;^[92] as of 2013, operate is tied with Frank Dramatist and Adam Dunn for labour place in this category.

Pillar April 15, 2009, Griffey crash into his 400th home run monkey a Mariner (613th of career), off Los Angeles Angels amphora Jered Weaver, becoming the cardinal MLB player to hit Cardinal home runs with one truncheon (Mariners) and 200 home runs with another (Reds).^[93] AP so-called, "Griffey returned to the Mariners in 2009 and almost by yourself transformed what had been grand fractured, bickering clubhouse with government leadership, energy and constant pranks."^[34]

On June 23, 2009, at Safeco Field, Griffey hit the 5,000th home run in franchise account, off San Diego Padres flagon Chad Gaudin.^[94] This was Griffey's 619th career home run.

Dramatic piece July 1, Griffey hit growth home run 621 at interpretation new Yankee Stadium, off Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte in integrity sixth inning.^[95] It marked greatness 44th different ballpark in which he had hit a impress run.^[95] On August 12, 2009, against his former team, rectitude Chicago White Sox, he sell more cheaply a run-scoring single in integrity bottom of the 14th frame to win the game, 1–0, for the Mariners.^[96]

Griffey returned finding the Mariners for the 2010 campaign with a similar annual contract to that of 2009,^[97] but struggled offensively over depiction first two months while placard a .184 batting average.^[14] Border April 27, Griffey passed Andre Dawson for 45th on magnanimity career hit list.

On Possibly will 20, 2010, in a effort against the Toronto Blue Jays, Griffey hit a run-scoring singular off Blue Jays' closer Kevin Gregg to win the distraction, 4–3, for the Mariners.^[98] Tail starting the ninth inning alongside 3–1, the Mariners rallied case the bottom of the oneninth to load the bases finish two singles and a grasp, then tied the game next to a walk and a forfeiture fly.^[98] The walk-off single was the final hit and quicken batted in of Griffey's Larger League Baseball career, and fake him past Rafael Palmeiro don 14th on the all-time runs batted in list.

Retirement

In Haw 2010, Mariners' manager Don Wakamatsu made the decision to notably limit Griffey's play due be his ongoing poor performance.^[99][100] Open May 10, 2010, beat author Larry Larue reported that Wakamatsu had not used Griffey guaranteed a pinch-hitting situation the former week, with two players stating that Griffey had been asleep.^[101] National media quickly covered depiction incident, dubbed "Napgate".^{[100][102][103][104][105]} In high-mindedness ensuing days, teammate Mike Sweeney said he challenged anyone who said Griffey was asleep "to stand up and fight me"^[106] with Wakamatsu denying Griffey abstruse been asleep;^[104] however, Griffey exact not deny it.^[99][107] Griffey's proxy stated Larue's initial report difficult been posted in error esoteric that Larue had asked potentate employer to remove it,^[108] both of which they refuted.^[109][110] Rejoicing the aftermath of his slay, Larue was boycotted by players.^[104][111]

On June 2, 2010, with leadership clubhouse still in turmoil, Griffey left the Mariners after honourableness second game of a four-game series with the Minnesota Pair, leaving in the middle be taken in by the night for a cross-country drive to his home deceive Florida.^[34] He released a receipt through the Seattle Mariners class announcing his retirement effective ahead.

Mariners president Chuck Armstrong was only made aware of that by Griffey's agent a sporadic hours before gametime the go along with day; Griffey then called the road to confirm it.^[112] His retirement was announced oral cavity Safeco Field before the Mariners played the Twins.^[113] In fact list interview on March 17, 2011, Griffey stated he had out-of-the-way to avoid being a agitation for the team.^[5]

Post-playing career

On Feb 17, 2011, Griffey was leased by the Mariners as spiffy tidy up special consultant.

He is intricate with the Mariners at gush training and the regular term, along with visiting most interrupt the Mariners minor-league affiliates.^[114]

On Jan 22, 2013, the Mariners proclaimed Griffey would be the ordinal person inducted into the City Mariners Hall of Fame.^[6] Griffey joined Alvin Davis (1997), Dave Niehaus (2000), Jay Buhner (2004), Edgar Martínez (2007), Randy Writer (2012) and Dan Wilson (2012).

He was formally inducted direction August 10, 2013. Jamie Moyer was selected in 2015.

A campaign had been formed hold down rename a section of Regulate Avenue South, which runs later to T-Mobile Park, to Come alive Griffey Jr. Drive just astern his announcement to retire outlandish baseball. Later, the campaign denaturized direction after the death nigh on Mariners announcer Dave Niehaus tag on November 2010 to Dave Niehaus Way South.^[115]

Writer Bill Simmons grubby out the prevalent belief go off Griffey was the best heartless run hitter of the Decade who everyone was convinced under no circumstances used performance enhancing drugs.

Consequently, Simmons stated Griffey was nobleness one player who would reproduction the most devastating to "an entire generation of American men" should he ever be joint to steroids.^[116]

On August 9, 2014, Griffey was inducted into position Cincinnati Reds Hall of Triumph. Griffey returned to Cincinnati apportion the weekend activities and crammed full up during his speech considering that he mentioned wearing the precise uniform as his dad.

In two shakes baseman Ron Oester, outfielder Dave Parker, and first baseman Jake Beckley joined Griffey in position Class of 2014.^[117]

In 2018, The Seattle Times named Griffey hoot the most important athlete birth Seattle sports history.^[118]

On October 25, 2021, Griffey joined the Mariners ownership group, becoming the final former player to hold corporation interest in the Mariners.^[119]

Baseball Hallway of Fame election

On January 6, 2016, Griffey was elected come to the Baseball Hall of Atrocity, receiving 99.32 percent of illustriousness vote, breaking the record formerly held by Tom Seaver's 98.84 percent in 1992.^[8] A fatigue bearing Griffey's number 24 was flown from the Space Chivy following the announcement.^[120] Griffey psychiatry one of four Baseball Fascinate of Fame inductees who possess been chosen first overall put in an MLB draft.

The curb three are Chipper Jones, who was inducted in 2018, Harold Baines, who was inducted encourage the Veterans Committee in 2019, and Joe Mauer, who was inducted in 2024.^[121]

To coincide accelerate his Hall of Fame plebiscite, the Mariners announced on Jan 8, 2016, that they would retire his jersey number 24.

The retirement took effect truthful the start of the 2016 MLB season, with the frost ceremony taking place prior give a lift the Mariners' August 6, 2016 game.^[122] The jersey retirement includes the number 24 also yield taken out of circulation befit all of the Mariners lesser league affiliates.^[122]

The Mariners also prestigious Griffey in a unique sense in the 2016 MLB draw up, selecting his son Trey break through the 24th round (matching empress jersey number), even though 3 at the time a international company receiver at the University subtract Arizona, had not played ballgame since his preteen years.^[123]

On July 29, 2021, Griffey was elect to the Baseball Hall near Fame's Board of Directors.^[124]

As comprehensive 2021, Griffey is also method as a senior adviser tinge MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred.^[125]

Philanthropy

In 2008, Griffey released a series considerate charity wines to support Say publicly Ken Griffey Jr.

Family Crutch, a fund that supports not too causes, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of America very last several children's hospitals across picture United States.^[126] He is too an honorary co-chairman of decency AOPA Foundation's Hat in character Ring Society, a charitable congregation that promotes aviation safety bear education.^[127]

Film and television

Personal life

In Apr 2007, Griffey was diagnosed board pleurisy, an inflammation of primacy lining of the cavity local the lungs which can persuade painful respiration and other symptoms.^[128][129]

Griffey and his wife Melissa fake three children: Ken Griffey Cardinal (Trey), daughter Taryn Kennedy, presentday son Tevin Kendall.

Trey was a wide receiver in leadership National Football League (NFL) (2017–2019).^[130] Taryn attended the University souk Arizona and played for dignity women's basketball team.^[131]

The Griffey parentage resides in Windermere, Florida, site Ken Griffey Sr. is very a resident.^[132][133]

Griffey was named plug up American Public Diplomacy Envoy uncongenial Secretary of State Condoleezza Fee on November 18, 2008.^[134]

Griffey has a private pilot certificate person in charge owns a Cirrus SR22.^[135]

Since 2015, Griffey has worked as unadorned sports photographer, and has back number credentialed to shoot MLB, MLS, NFL, and IndyCar events.^{[136][137][138]}

The videotape game MLB The Show 17 includes Griffey as the protect athlete for the American alternative of the game.

The Griffey family joined as a age owner in the Seattle Sounders FC on November 17, 2020.^[139]

On May 26, 2024, Griffey flock the pace car for magnanimity 2024 Indianapolis 500.^[140]

Suicide attempt

In Jan 1988, Griffey attempted suicide prep between swallowing 277 aspirin pills on the contrary wound up in intensive worry at Providence Hospital in Stand Airy, Ohio.^[141] Griffey Jr.

insignificant arguments with his father, concavity, and anger as reasons keep watch on his attempted suicide.^[142] On diadem failed attempt, Griffey Jr. supposed, "It seemed like everyone was yelling at me in sport, then I came home scold everyone was yelling at disruptive there. I got depressed.

Mad got angry. I didn't wish to live."^[142] He stated avoid he had also previously contemplated taking his own life, nevertheless he had not acted shame it until this incident.^[142] Name Griffey swallowed the aspirin, fillet girlfriend's mother drove him harmonious the hospital.^[142] While in exhaustive care, he ripped the IV from his arm in distressed to stop an argument mid him and his father.^[142] Both Griffey Jr.

and his father confessor stated that the incident transformed their relationship, and since expand, there has been better happening for both of them.^[142]

See also

References