Ken Griffey Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ken Griffey Jr. |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
.jpg)
Griffey with the Seattle Mariners in 2009
|
|||
| Center fielder | |||
| Born: November 21, 1969 Donora, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
|||
|
|||
| debut | |||
| April 3, 1989, for the Seattle Mariners | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| May 31, 2010, for the Seattle Mariners | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .284 | ||
| Hits | 2,781 | ||
| Home runs | 630 | ||
| Runs batted in | 1,836 | ||
| Teams | |||
|
|||
| Career highlights and awards | |||
|
|||
 Baseball Hall of Fame |
|||
| Induction | 2016 | ||
| Vote | 99.3% (first ballot) | ||
George Kenneth Griffey Jr. (born November 21, 1969), often called "Junior" or "the Kid", is a famous American former professional baseball outfielder. He played for 22 years in Major League Baseball (MLB). He spent most of his career with the Seattle Mariners and Cincinnati Reds. He also played a short time with the Chicago White Sox.
Griffey was the first player picked in the 1987 Major League Baseball draft. He was a 13-time All-Star. Griffey is known as one of baseball's best home run hitters. His 630 home runs are the seventh-most in MLB history. He was also an amazing defender, winning 10 Gold Glove Awards in center field. He holds a record for hitting a home run in eight straight games.
Griffey was very popular and had deals with big companies like Nike and Nintendo. Many people believe his popularity helped baseball after a player strike in 1994. He is one of only 31 players to have played in major league games across four different decades.
After he stopped playing, Griffey became a special advisor for the Mariners. He is in both the Mariners Hall of Fame and the Reds Hall of Fame. In 2016, Griffey was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. He received 99.32% of the votes, which was a record at the time.
Griffey is the son of former MLB player Ken Griffey Sr.. He is also the father of former football player Trey Griffey.
Contents
Early Life and Baseball Dreams
Griffey was born in Donora, Pennsylvania, on November 21, 1969. His family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, when his father, Ken Griffey Sr., started playing for the Cincinnati Reds in 1973. Ken Jr. was only three years old. He was often in the clubhouse when his dad's team won championships in 1975 and 1976.
His father taught him that team success was more important than individual stats. Ken Jr. once had a difficult experience with the New York Yankees when visiting his father. This made him decide he would never play for the Yankees later in his career.
Griffey went to Archbishop Moeller High School in Cincinnati. He was named the best high school baseball player in the U.S. in 1987. He hit .478 with 17 home runs in his two high school seasons. Griffey also played football as a wide receiver. He even received scholarship offers to play college football for big schools like Oklahoma and Michigan.
Professional Baseball Career
Starting in the Minor Leagues
The Seattle Mariners chose Griffey as the first player overall in the 1987 Major League Baseball draft. This happened on June 2, 1987. He received a signing bonus of $160,000.
On June 11, 1987, Griffey joined the Bellingham Mariners. This was a minor league team. In 54 games, he hit .313 with 14 home runs. He also had 40 runs batted in (RBI) and 13 stolen bases. Baseball America magazine called him the best young player in that league.
In 1988, Griffey played for the San Bernardino Spirit. He batted .338, hit 11 home runs, and stole 32 bases in 58 games. Later that season, he moved up to the Vermont Mariners. He played 17 games there, hitting .279 with two home runs.
Seattle Mariners: A Star is Born (1989–1999)
In his first 11 years with Seattle, Griffey became one of the most exciting players. He had 1,752 hits, 398 home runs, and 1,152 RBI. He also stole 167 bases. He led the American League in home runs four times (1994, 1997, 1998, 1999). He was named the AL MVP in 1997 and had a .297 batting average.
Griffey's defense in center field was considered the best. He won 10 Gold Gloves in a row from 1990 to 1999. He made amazing diving catches and often jumped to steal home runs from opposing hitters. He was a regular in the All-Star Game. He was even on the Wheaties cereal box and had his own Nike shoes.
On April 3, 1989, Griffey hit a double in his first MLB at-bat. A week later, he hit his first major league home run. He was a highly anticipated player. In 1989, his baseball card was the #1 card in Upper Deck's first set. It became one of the most popular cards ever.
In 1990 and 1991, Griffey and his father became the first father and son to play on the same team. On August 31, 1990, they both hit singles in the first inning of his father's first game as a Mariner. On September 14, they hit back-to-back home runs. This was a first for a father-son duo.
At the MLB Home Run Derby in 1993, Griffey hit the warehouse beyond the right-field wall. He is still the only player to do this. In 1994, he led the league in All-Star votes. That season, which ended early due to a players' strike, Griffey hit 40 home runs.
One of Griffey's most famous moments was in the 1995 American League Division Series (ALDS). The Mariners were playing the New York Yankees. In Game 5, Griffey scored the winning run in the 11th inning. This play helped save baseball in Seattle and led to the building of Safeco Field. The play also inspired the video game Ken Griffey Jr.'s Winning Run.
In 1997, Griffey led the Mariners to win their division. He also won the American League Most Valuable Player Award. He hit .304 with 56 home runs and 147 RBI. On April 15, 1997, Griffey wore number 42. This led to the MLB tradition of Jackie Robinson Day.
In 1998, Griffey was chasing Roger Maris' home run record of 61. He finished with 56 home runs and 146 RBI. In 1999, he was ranked 93rd on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players. He was the youngest player on the list. That year, Griffey was also chosen for the Major League Baseball All-Century Team.
While with Seattle, Griffey won 10 Gold Gloves. He was the 1992 All-Star Game MVP. He was also the 1997 AL MVP.
Leaving Seattle
After the 1999 season, Griffey wanted to live closer to his family in Cincinnati. On February 10, 2000, Griffey was traded to the Reds. He signed a nine-year, $112.5 million contract with them.
Cincinnati Reds: New Home (2000–2008)
Early Years with the Reds
In 2000, Griffey changed his jersey number from 24 to 30. This was the number his father wore. The number 24 was already retired for Tony Pérez. Griffey's stats were still good in 2000, with 40 home runs and 118 RBI.
From 2001 to 2004, Griffey had many injuries. These injuries caused him to miss many games. They also affected his power and home run numbers. He missed 260 games from 2002 to 2004.
In 2004, Griffey avoided major injury for the first half of the season. On June 20, he hit his 500th career home run. This happened on Father's Day with his father watching. However, he got injured again before the All-Star break. He tore his hamstring and missed the rest of the season. After surgery and recovery, he returned for the 2005 season.
Comeback and Milestones
The 2005 season was a great comeback for Griffey. He hit 35 home runs, his most since joining the Reds. He moved up the career home run list, tying Mickey Mantle. He played in 128 games, his most since 2000. He was named the National League Comeback Player of the Year.
At the start of the 2006 season, Griffey changed his number to 3. This was to honor his three children. On May 11, he hit a game-winning home run against the Washington Nationals. On June 5, Griffey hit a home run in his 43rd different ballpark. This tied a record. On June 27, he hit his 550th career home run. On September 25, 2006, Griffey tied Reggie Jackson for tenth on the all-time home run list.
Later Years with the Reds
In 2007, Griffey moved to right field. On May 10, 2007, he hit his 569th career home run, tying Rafael Palmeiro. He passed Palmeiro on May 13. He then passed Harmon Killebrew and Mark McGwire on the all-time home run list.
On June 22, 2007, Griffey returned to Seattle for the first time as a Red. The Mariners honored him with a special presentation. Fans gave him a long standing ovation. Griffey gave an emotional speech. Many fans held signs showing their appreciation.
Griffey received the most votes for the 2007 National League All-Star team. On July 18, 2007, Griffey got his 2,500th hit. He ended the 2007 season with 593 career home runs.
In 2008, Griffey continued to climb the record books. On June 9, he hit his 600th home run against the Florida Marlins. Fans from both teams gave him a standing ovation. He was not selected for the 2008 All-Star Game. On July 30, Griffey hit his 608th career home run in his last game for the Reds.
Chicago White Sox (2008)
On July 31, 2008, Griffey was traded to the Chicago White Sox. This ended his nine years in Cincinnati. In his first game with the White Sox, he had two hits and two RBI.
On August 20, 2008, Griffey hit his first home run as a White Sox player. This tied him with Sammy Sosa for fifth place in career home runs. He passed Sosa on September 23.
Griffey's most memorable moment with the White Sox came on September 30. This was a special tie-breaker game against the Minnesota Twins. In the fifth inning, Griffey made a great play in center field. He caught a fly ball and threw it to home plate. The catcher tagged out the runner, completing a double play. The White Sox won the game 1–0 and advanced to the playoffs.
After the 2008 season, the White Sox did not keep Griffey. He became a free agent for the first time. He said he would not retire yet.
Seattle Mariners: A Final Chapter (2009–2010)
As a free agent, Griffey considered the Mariners and the Atlanta Braves. He chose to return to the Mariners on February 18, 2009. He said he was motivated by his love for Seattle. He also talked with Willie Mays and his daughter before deciding. Griffey wore his old number 24 again. The team had not given that number to anyone else since he left.
Griffey hit a home run in his first game back with the Mariners on Opening Day. This was his eighth Opening Day home run, tying a record. On April 15, 2009, Griffey hit his 400th home run as a Mariner. This was his 613th career home run. He became the first player to hit 400 home runs with one team and 200 with another. Many people said Griffey's return helped the Mariners' team spirit.
On June 23, 2009, Griffey hit the 5,000th home run in Mariners history. This was his 619th career home run. On July 1, he hit his 621st career home run at the new Yankee Stadium. This meant he had hit a home run in 44 different ballparks. On August 12, 2009, he hit a game-winning single against his former team, the White Sox.
Griffey returned to the Mariners for the 2010 season. However, he struggled with his hitting. On May 20, he hit a game-winning single against the Toronto Blue Jays. This was the final hit and RBI of his MLB career. It moved him past Rafael Palmeiro to 14th on the all-time RBI list.
Retirement
In May 2010, Griffey's playing time was limited due to his struggles. On June 2, Griffey decided to retire from baseball immediately. He left the Mariners during a series against the Minnesota Twins. He drove across the country to his home in Florida. His retirement was announced at Safeco Field. Griffey later said he retired to avoid being a distraction for the team.
Life After Playing Baseball
On February 17, 2011, Griffey was hired by the Mariners as a special consultant. He helps the team during spring training and the regular season. He also visits the Mariners' minor league teams.
 |
|
| Ken Griffey Jr.'s number 24 was retired by the Seattle Mariners in 2016. |
On January 22, 2013, the Mariners announced that Griffey would be inducted into the Seattle Mariners Hall of Fame. He was formally inducted on August 10.
On August 9, 2014, Griffey was also inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame. He became emotional during his speech when he talked about wearing the same uniform as his dad.
In 2018, The Seattle Times named Griffey the most important athlete in Seattle sports history. On October 25, 2021, Griffey joined the Mariners' ownership group. He became the first former player to own a part of the team.
Baseball Hall of Fame Election
On January 6, 2016, Griffey was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. He received 99.32 percent of the votes. This broke the record previously held by Tom Seaver. A flag with Griffey's number 24 was flown from Seattle's Space Needle after the announcement.
The Mariners announced they would retire his jersey number 24. This means no other player on the Mariners will wear that number. The official ceremony took place on August 6, 2016.
In the 2016 MLB draft, the Mariners honored Griffey in a special way. They drafted his son, Trey, in the 24th round. Trey was a football player and had not played baseball since he was a child.
As of 2021, Griffey also works as a senior advisor to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred.
Giving Back: Philanthropy
In 2008, Griffey created a series of charity wines. These wines supported The Ken Griffey Jr. Family Foundation. This foundation helps organizations like the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. It also supports several children's hospitals across the United States.
He is also an honorary co-chairman for the AOPA Foundation. This group promotes aviation safety and education.
Film and Television Appearances
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Harry and the Hendersons | Himself | Episode: "The Father-Son Game" |
| 1992 | The Simpsons | Himself | Episode: "Homer at the Bat" |
| 1994 | The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air | Himself | Episode: "Love Hurts" |
| 1994 | Little Big League | Himself | With The "Seattle Mariners" |
| 2001 | Summer Catch | Himself | With The "Cincinnati Reds" |
| 2015 | "Downtown" – music video by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis | Himself | Won Best Video at the 2015 MTV Europe Music Awards |
| 2020 | Superintelligence | Himself |
Personal Life
In April 2007, Griffey was diagnosed with pleurisy. This is an inflammation that can cause painful breathing.
Griffey and his wife Melissa have three children: Ken Griffey III (Trey), Taryn Kennedy, and Tevin Kendall. Trey played wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). Taryn played for the University of Arizona women's basketball team.
The Griffey family lives in Windermere, Florida. Ken Griffey Sr. also lives there.
Griffey was named an American Public Diplomacy Envoy in 2008. He also has a private pilot certificate and owns a plane.
Since 2015, Griffey has worked as a sports photographer. He has taken photos at MLB, MLS, NFL, and IndyCar events. He is also scheduled to photograph the 2025 Masters Tournament.
The video game MLB The Show 17 features Griffey as the cover athlete.
The Griffey family became minority owners in the Seattle Sounders FC soccer team in 2020. On May 26, 2024, Griffey drove the pace car for the Indianapolis 500 race.
Images for kids
-
Griffey with the Seattle Mariners in 2009
-
Griffey in 1988 as a member of the San Bernardino Spirit
-
A mural of Griffey in downtown Seattle from the strike-shortened 1994 season.
-
One of Griffey's signature sneakers, the Nike Air Griffey Max.
-
Griffey bats for the Mariners, 1997
-
Griffey, batting for the Cincinnati Reds.
-
Griffey in 2007 with the Reds
-
Ken Griffey Jr. in 2008 with the Chicago White Sox
-
Griffey, batting against the Cubs after returning to the Mariners during Spring training, March 2009.
-
Ken Griffey Jr. during his final plate appearance of the 2009 season.
-
Ken Griffey Jr.'s retired number 24 with the Seattle Mariners.
-
Griffey during a press conference in 2016 after his election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame
See also
In Spanish: Ken Griffey, Jr. para niños
