MLB Names Ken Griffey Jr. as Senior Advisor to the Commissioner
Photo Via: AFP - Getty Images
Major League Baseball Commissioner’s Office announced the addition of Ken Griffey Jr. as Senior Adviser to Commissioner Rob Manfred. ‘The Kid’ will appropriately consult with MLB to help with youth development. He will also consult regarding baseball operations and diversity within the sport, among other things.
Griffey Jr. was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year on the ballot in 2016. He made 13 All-Star Games, won 10 Gold Gloves, and took home the 1997 AL MVP Award. He had tremendous pop as well, with a career total of 630 home runs.
Griffey Jr. has a baseball pedigree, as he famously played alongside his father in the major leagues. His marketability was fantastic during his playing days, and he remains one of the most iconic African-American ballplayers of the modern era.
His role in the Commissioner’s Office is important. Despite the league’s growing revenue, concerns of the public focus on baseball’s ability (or lack thereof) in reaching younger and diverse audiences. It is challenging to identify a former player better suited for the role than Junior.