Dream Fulfilled: Ken Griffey Jr Becomes Part Of Mariners Ownership Group

The move by the Mariners and Griffey  Jr. is as they say was a no-brainer. The franchise’s most beloved, accomplished, and the effervescent player who brought joy to millions and made  Seattle his home was an unofficial shot caller from the day he became a Mariner in 1987. That is the year the Mariners selected Griffey Jr with the first overall pick in the MLB Draft. The rest they say is history.

ACCOMPLISHED CAREER

Griffey made his MLB debut two years later on April 3^rd, 1989, and from there became one of the most decorated players in Major League Baseball History. Among his achievements; 1997 American League MVP (unanimous selection), and RBI leader; 13-time All-Star; 10-time Gold Glove winner; 7-time Silver Slugger winner; 4-time AL home run leader; 3-time MLB All-Star Home Run Derby champion; 630 career home runs. In 1999, he was one of 30 players named to the All-Century Team, a roster of the greatest players at each position in the history of MLB.

In 2010 Griffey retired from the game and continued his relationship with the Mariners and his beloved game. The Mariners named his Special Consultant in 2011.  Griffey was elected to the Mariners  Hall of Fame in 2013 and the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame in 2014. In 2016, he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame with a then-record 99.3% (437 of 440) ballots cast in his first year of eligibility. His election was announced on Jan. 6, 2016, and he was inducted on July 24, 2016. His №24 was retired at all levels of the Seattle organization in a pre-game ceremony on Aug. 8, 2016, the first number ever retired by the franchise.

MAKING A LASTING  IMPACT ON THE GAME

 In January 2021 Griffey was named Senior Advisor to  MLB Commissioner  Robert Manfred to focus on youth baseball development with a special emphasis on growing diversity on all professional and amateur levels of baseball and softball.