Ken Griffey Jr. named MLB senior adviser

[January 30, 2021]    Hall of Fame member Ken Griffey Jr. will serve as a senior adviser to Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred with an emphasis on baseball operations, youth baseball development and improving diversity.

MLB also said Griffey will work as an MLB ambassador for youth baseball initiatives and at special events, including the All-Star Game.

Former Major League Baseball player Ken Griffey Jr. gives an interview with CNBC on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange January 8, 2016. Griffey and Mike Piazza rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange as part of the celebration for being elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame this week. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

"We are thrilled that Ken will represent Major League Baseball on some of our sport's most important stages, alongside our current and future stars," Manfred said in a news release. "We welcome the perspective and insights that Ken gained as an historic player, as a parent, and as someone who has spent his life in and around our great game."

Griffey, 51, spent 22 seasons with the Seattle Mariners (1989-99, 2009-10), Cincinnati Reds (2000-08) and Chicago White Sox (2008). He was a 13-time All-Star, American League MVP and 10-time Gold Glove winner.

He was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016, receiving votes on 99.3 percent of ballots in his first year of eligibility.

"I am humbled to be asked to work with Major League Baseball in this role," Griffey said. "It will be an honor to represent the best sport in the world and to promote our game among today's youth."

Griffey retired with 630 career home runs and is seventh on the all-time list. He is 16th in MLB history with 1,836 RBIs.

Since 2016, Griffey has served as a youth ambassador for MLB and the MLB Players Association on their joint baseball development initiatives.

--Field Level Media

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