Ken Griffey Jr.'s Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Ken Griffey Jr..

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

1992: All-Star Game MVP

In 1992, Ken Griffey Jr. was awarded the title of All-Star Game MVP.

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.

1997: AL MVP

In 1997, Ken Griffey Jr. was awarded the title of AL MVP.

1998: ESPY Male Athlete of the Year

In 1998, Ken Griffey Jr. was awarded the title of ESPY Male Athlete of the Year.

1999: Players Choice Awards Player of the Decade

In 1999, Ken Griffey Jr. was awarded the title of Players Choice Awards Player of the Decade.

1999: All-Century Team Selection

In 1999, Ken Griffey Jr. was selected for the MLB All-Century Team.

2005: "The Junior Operation" and Return

In 2005, after recovering from an experimental surgery called "The Junior Operation" to reattach his hamstring, Ken Griffey Jr. returned to the field. In April, he hit .244 with one home run on April 30.

2005: Injury and Comeback Player of the Year Award

In September 2005, Ken Griffey Jr. strained a tendon in his left foot and underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, also repairing scars from his 2004 hamstring operation. Despite these injuries, he played the most games since 2000 and was named National League Comeback Player of the Year.

2005: Resurgence of a Healthy Griffey

Starting May 1, 2005, Ken Griffey Jr. experienced a resurgence, hitting 35 home runs, his highest since his first year with the Reds. He surpassed several notable players on the career home run list, ending the season tied with Mickey Mantle.

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.

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.

August 22, 2007: Rawlings Gold Glove Selection

On August 22, 2007, Ken Griffey Jr. was selected as an all-time Rawlings Gold Glove winner, recognized as one of the greatest defensive players in the last 50 years.

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.

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.

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.

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.

January 22, 2013: Griffey to be Inducted into Mariners Hall of Fame

On January 22, 2013, the Mariners announced that Ken Griffey Jr. would be the seventh person inducted into the Seattle Mariners Hall of Fame.

August 9, 2014: Griffey Inducted into Reds Hall of Fame

On August 9, 2014, Ken Griffey Jr. was inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame, where he spoke about wearing the same uniform as his dad during his speech. Ron Oester, Dave Parker, and Jake Beckley joined Griffey in the Class of 2014.

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.

January 8, 2016: Mariners Announce Retirement of Griffey's Jersey Number

On January 8, 2016, the Mariners announced they would retire Ken Griffey Jr.'s jersey number 24. This retirement took effect at the start of the 2016 MLB season, and the number was also retired for all of the Mariners' minor league affiliates.