Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Ken Griffey Jr.

How Ken Griffey Jr. built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Ken Griffey Jr., nicknamed "Junior" and "the Kid," is a retired American professional baseball outfielder. Drafted first overall in 1987, he played 22 MLB seasons, primarily with the Seattle Mariners and Cincinnati Reds. A 13-time All-Star, Griffey is considered one of baseball's all-time greats, hitting 630 career home runs, ranking seventh in MLB history. He also excelled defensively, earning 10 Gold Glove Awards in center field. Griffey is tied for the record of most consecutive games with a home run.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

June 2, 1987: Drafted by Seattle Mariners

On June 2, 1987, Ken Griffey Jr. was selected as the first overall pick in the Major League Baseball draft by the Seattle Mariners.

June 11, 1987: Joins Bellingham Mariners

On June 11, 1987, Griffey joined the Bellingham Mariners of the Class A short season Northwest League.

April 3, 1989: MLB Debut

On April 3, 1989, Ken Griffey Jr. made his Major League Baseball debut, hitting a double off Dave Stewart of the Oakland Athletics. This event marked the beginning of his celebrated MLB career.

August 31, 1990: Father-Son Duo Play Together

On August 31, 1990, Ken Griffey Jr. and his father, Ken Griffey Sr., played their first game together as teammates for the Seattle Mariners. During the game, they hit back-to-back singles in the first inning and both scored, marking a unique moment in baseball history.

June 1991: Griffey Sr. Retirement

In June 1991, Ken Griffey Sr. retired from Major League Baseball, ending the brief but memorable period during which he and his son, Ken Griffey Jr., played together on the Seattle Mariners.

1993: Home Run Derby Warehouse Shot

In 1993, during the MLB Home Run Derby at Oriole Park in Baltimore, Ken Griffey Jr. famously hit the warehouse beyond the right-field wall on the fly. This feat made him the only player to ever accomplish it, and a plaque was installed to mark the landing spot of the ball.

1995: The Double

In 1995, during Game 5 of the American League Division Series (ALDS) against the New York Yankees, Ken Griffey Jr. scored the winning run from first base on a double hit by Edgar Martinez. This play, known as "The Double," secured the Mariners' victory and is remembered as one of the most iconic moments in the team's history.

April 15, 1997: Jackie Robinson Day

On April 15, 1997, Ken Griffey Jr. wore the number 42, an event that would eventually lead to the establishment of MLB's Jackie Robinson Day in 1999.

February 10, 2000: Traded to Cincinnati Reds

On February 10, 2000, Ken Griffey Jr. was traded to the Cincinnati Reds from the Seattle Mariners. The trade involved pitcher Brett Tomko, outfielder Mike Cameron, and minor leaguers Antonio Perez and Jake Meyer.

2000: Number Change and Decline in Superstar Status

In 2000, Ken Griffey Jr. changed his jersey number from 24 to 30 to honor his father. Although he still had respectable statistics, including 40 home runs, his overall performance in the 2000 season was considered a decline from his previous superstar level.

2000: Most Games Played Since

In 2005, Ken Griffey Jr. played 128 games which was the most games played since 2000.

2004: 500th Career Home Run and Hamstring Injury

On June 20, 2004, Ken Griffey Jr. hit his 500th career home run on Father's Day against the St. Louis Cardinals, tying him with his father in career hits. Shortly after, he suffered a hamstring tear, sidelining him from the All-Star Game.

September 25, 2006: Tying Reggie Jackson on Home Run List

On September 25, 2006, Ken Griffey Jr. hit his 27th home run of the season against Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Scott Eyre, tying him with Reggie Jackson for tenth place on the all-time home run list.

May 10, 2007: Tying Rafael Palmeiro on Home Run List

On May 10, 2007, Ken Griffey Jr. hit his sixth home run of the season and the 569th of his career, tying Rafael Palmeiro for ninth place on the career home runs list.

June 22, 2007: First Return to Seattle

On June 22, 2007, Ken Griffey Jr. made his first return to Seattle after being traded to the Reds. The Mariners honored him with a 15-minute presentation and he received a four-minute standing ovation from the crowd.

July 16, 2007: Passing Frank Robinson on Home Run List

On July 16, 2007, Ken Griffey Jr. hit his 587th home run to pass Frank Robinson for sixth place on the all-time home run list.

July 18, 2007: 2,500th Career Hit

On July 18, 2007, Ken Griffey Jr. recorded his 2,500th hit, a first-inning single off Atlanta Braves starting pitcher John Smoltz.

2007: Move to Right Field

At the beginning of the 2007 Major League Baseball season, Ken Griffey Jr. was moved to right field for the Reds, as Ryan Freel took over center field. This was due to the manager's decision to improve the team's defense.

April 4, 2008: Passing Reggie Jackson in Runs Driven In

On April 4, 2008, Ken Griffey Jr. passed Reggie Jackson for 16th on the all-time list after driving in his 1,702nd run.

July 31, 2008: Trade to the Chicago White Sox

On July 31, 2008, Ken Griffey Jr. was traded to the Chicago White Sox for pitcher Nick Masset and infielder Danny Richar, ending his nine-year tenure in Cincinnati.

August 20, 2008: First Home Run as a White Sox

On August 20, 2008, Ken Griffey Jr. hit his first home run as a member of the White Sox, off the Mariners' R. A. Dickey, tying him with Sammy Sosa for fifth place in career home runs.

October 30, 2008: White Sox Decline Option and Free Agency

On October 30, 2008, the White Sox declined a $16 million option on Ken Griffey Jr., making him a free agent for the first time in his career. He received a buyout for $4 million split between the Reds and White Sox and stated that he wouldn't retire.

November 18, 2008: Griffey Named American Public Diplomacy Envoy

On November 18, 2008, Ken Griffey Jr. was named an American Public Diplomacy Envoy by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

2008: Griffey Releases Charity Wines

In 2008, Ken Griffey Jr. released a series of charity wines to support The Ken Griffey Jr. Family Foundation, which supports causes like the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and children's hospitals.

February 18, 2009: Signing with the Seattle Mariners

On February 18, 2009, Ken Griffey Jr. accepted a contract offer from the Seattle Mariners, motivated by sentimental reasons towards Seattle. He once again sported #24 with the Mariners.

April 15, 2009: Griffey Hits 400th Home Run as a Mariner

On April 15, 2009, Ken Griffey Jr. hit his 400th home run as a Mariner, which was also the 613th of his career, against Los Angeles Angels pitcher Jered Weaver. This achievement made him the first MLB player to hit 400 home runs with one club (Mariners) and 200 home runs with another (Reds).

June 23, 2009: Griffey Hits Franchise's 5,000th Home Run

On June 23, 2009, Ken Griffey Jr. hit the 5,000th home run in franchise history while playing at Safeco Field against the San Diego Padres. This was also Griffey's 619th career home run.

August 12, 2009: Griffey's Run-Scoring Single Wins the Game

On August 12, 2009, Ken Griffey Jr. hit a run-scoring single in the bottom of the 14th inning against his former team, the Chicago White Sox, securing a 1-0 victory for the Mariners.

2009: Griffey Returns to the Mariners

In 2009, Griffey returned to the Mariners and transformed the fractured clubhouse with his leadership and energy.

February 17, 2011: Griffey Hired as Special Consultant by Mariners

On February 17, 2011, Ken Griffey Jr. was hired by the Mariners as a special consultant, involving him with the team at spring training and the regular season, as well as visits to the Mariners' minor-league affiliates.

2015: Griffey Works as Sports Photographer

Since 2015, Ken Griffey Jr. has worked as a sports photographer, credentialed to shoot MLB, MLS, NFL, and IndyCar events.

January 6, 2016: Griffey Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame

On January 6, 2016, Ken Griffey Jr. was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame with 99.32 percent of the vote, breaking Tom Seaver's previous record. A flag with Griffey's number 24 was flown from Seattle's Space Needle. He is one of four Hall of Fame inductees who were chosen first overall in an MLB draft.