Ken Griffey Jr.
Early Life
George Kenneth Griffey Jr. was born on November 21, 1969, in Donora, Pennsylvania. He is the son of former MLB player Ken Griffey Sr.. Griffey Jr. spent a significant part of his childhood in Cincinnati, Ohio, where his father played for the Cincinnati Reds. He developed a keen interest in baseball at a young age, often accompanying his father to games and practices.
High School Career
Griffey Jr. attended Archbishop Moeller High School in Cincinnati, where he excelled in baseball. In his senior year, he batted .478 and hit 17 home runs, earning him the distinction of being one of the best high school baseball players in the country. His impressive performance caught the attention of major league scouts, leading to his selection as the first overall pick in the 1987 MLB draft by the Seattle Mariners.
Professional Career
Seattle Mariners
Griffey Jr. made his professional debut for the Mariners on April 3, 1989. He quickly established himself as one of the most promising young players in the league, earning his first All-Star selection in 1990. Over the next decade, Griffey Jr. would become one of the most dominant players in baseball, earning 10 consecutive All-Star selections, 10 Gold Glove Awards, and the 1997 American League MVP Award.
Cincinnati Reds
In 2000, Griffey Jr. was traded to the Cincinnati Reds, the team his father had starred for in the 1970s. Despite battling numerous injuries, Griffey Jr. continued to perform at a high level, earning three more All-Star selections and two more Gold Glove Awards during his nine seasons with the Reds.
Chicago White Sox and Return to Mariners
Griffey Jr. was traded to the Chicago White Sox in 2008, where he spent a brief period before returning to the Mariners in 2009. He announced his retirement from professional baseball in 2010.
Post-Retirement
Since retiring, Griffey Jr. has remained involved in baseball, serving as a special consultant for the Mariners. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016, his first year of eligibility, receiving 99.32% of the vote, the highest percentage in the history of the Hall of Fame at that time.
Legacy
Griffey Jr. is widely regarded as one of the greatest baseball players of all time. His combination of power, speed, and defensive prowess made him a unique talent, and his charismatic personality and infectious smile endeared him to fans around the world. His impact on the game extends beyond his on-field accomplishments, as he is often credited with helping to revive interest in baseball during the 1990s.