The backwards cap, the effortless catches and that sweetest of left-handed swings made Ken Griffey Jr. the face of 1990s baseball. In 2026 he was back on the big stage as Global Ambassador for the World Baseball Classic, embedded with Team USA as a photographer.
From first overall pick to 630 home runs and a then-record Hall of Fame vote, here is the story of The Kid. To wear a little of that magic, browse our Seattle Mariners collection.
Ken Griffey Jr. Fact File
| Full name | George Kenneth Griffey Jr. |
|---|---|
| Date of birth (age) | 21 November 1969 (56) |
| Place of birth | Donora, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.90 m) |
| Position | Centre fielder (bats left, throws left) |
| Nationality | American |
| Current status | Retired (2010); Hall of Famer, Class of 2016 |
| Shirt number | 24 (Mariners, retired by the club); 30 and 3 (Reds) |
| Nickname | The Kid, Junior |
Career History
| Team | Years | Games | Hits | HR | RBI | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle Mariners | 1989–1999, 2009–2010 | 1,685 | 1,843 | 417 | 1,216 | .292 |
| Cincinnati Reds | 2000–2008 | 945 | 904 | 210 | 602 | .270 |
| Chicago White Sox | 2008 | 41 | 34 | 3 | 18 | .260 |
| Career | 1989–2010 | 2,671 | 2,781 | 630 | 1,836 | .284 |
Major League regular-season totals only, per Baseball-Reference; postseason games excluded. HR = home runs, RBI = runs batted in, AVG = batting average.
Early Years: Born to Play
Born in Donora, Pennsylvania, Junior grew up around the Cincinnati Reds, where his father, Ken Griffey Sr., starred in the outfield. He shone at Archbishop Moeller High School in Cincinnati, and on 2 June 1987 the Seattle Mariners made him the first overall pick in the draft.
He debuted at 19 on 3 April 1989. In August 1990 his dad joined the Mariners, making them the first father and son to play together, and on 14 September 1990 they hit back-to-back home runs.
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The Kid Takes Over Seattle
Through the 1990s Griffey won ten straight Gold Gloves, robbing hitters at the wall, and led the American League in home runs four times. In 1993 he tied the record by homering in eight consecutive games.
The defining moment came in Game 5 of the 1995 ALDS against the Yankees. In the 11th inning he raced home from first on Edgar Martínez's double to win the series. In 1997 he hit 56 home runs with 147 RBI to win the AL MVP, then hit 56 again in 1998.
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Homecoming in Cincinnati
In February 2000 Griffey was traded to his hometown Reds and hit 40 home runs in his first season. He hit his 500th homer on Father's Day 2004 and became only the sixth player to reach 600 on 9 June 2008.
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Return to Seattle and Legacy
After a spell with the Chicago White Sox in 2008, he rejoined the Mariners for 2009. He retired in June 2010 with 630 home runs. In 2016 he was elected to the Hall of Fame on 99.32% of the vote, breaking Tom Seaver's long-standing record, and the Mariners retired No. 24 the same year.
Honours
Individual Awards
- AL Most Valuable Player (1997)
- 13× All-Star
- 10× Gold Glove (1990–1999)
- 7× Silver Slugger
- All-Star Game MVP (1992)
- 3× Home Run Derby champion
- 4× AL home run leader (1994, 1997, 1998, 1999)
Hall of Fame and Tributes
- National Baseball Hall of Fame (2016)
- MLB All-Century Team (1999)
- Mariners Hall of Fame (2013) and Reds Hall of Fame (2014)
- No. 24 retired by the Seattle Mariners
Away From the Game
A keen sports photographer since 2015, Griffey was Team USA's hitting coach at the 2023 World Baseball Classic. He joined the Mariners' ownership group in 2021, and the Ken Griffey Jr. Family Foundation supports Boys & Girls Clubs of America and children's hospitals.
FAQs
How old is Ken Griffey Jr.?
Ken Griffey Jr. is 56, having been born on 21 November 1969.
Where was Ken Griffey Jr. born?
He was born in Donora, Pennsylvania, and grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio.
How tall is Ken Griffey Jr.?
He is listed at 6 ft 3 in (1.90 m).
What teams did Ken Griffey Jr. play for?
The Seattle Mariners, Cincinnati Reds and Chicago White Sox.
How many home runs did Ken Griffey Jr. hit?
He hit 630, seventh in MLB history.
What was Ken Griffey Jr.'s most famous moment?
His dash home from first to win Game 5 of the 1995 ALDS against the Yankees, sending Seattle to its first ALCS.
Shop the Ken Griffey Jr. Collection
Add The Kid's swagger to your wardrobe with our made-to-order designs.
Explore our baseball collection, pick your side with the Seattle Mariners collection or the Cincinnati Reds collection, or put your own name on the back with our custom name men's hoodie.
Part of our Player Profiles series. Read next: Derek Jeter Career Story: Mr. November and 3,465 Yankees Hits and Willie Mays Career Story: The Say Hey Kid and 660 Home Runs.
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