Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. joins MLB as senior adviser to the commissioner

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 1/29/21

Although his playing days are well behind him, Ken Griffey Jr. is returning to Major League Baseball in a new role.

Commissioner Rob Manfred announced Friday that Griffey Jr. will serve as senior adviser to the commissioner. The Hall of Famer will consult with MLB on several issues with an emphasis on baseball operations and youth baseball development. Even more emphasis will be placed on improving diversity at amateur levels of the game.

"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 statement. "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."

BREAKING: The Kid joins MLB …

Ken Griffey Jr. will serve as Sr. Advisor to the Commissioner with an emphasis on baseball operations, youth development and improving diversity at all levels of the game. pic.twitter.com/GMAF7fSOtr
— MLB (@MLB) January 29, 2021

Improving diversity in baseball has become more of a focal point for MLB over the last few seasons. In 2020, only 8% of players on Opening Day rosters were Black. Three teams in the league even had zero Black players on their 2020 Opening Day rosters.

Griffey Jr. is one of the most electric baseball players of all time. The 51-year-old was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016, which is the same year he started serving as a youth ambassador for both MLB and the MLB Players Association.

In his 22-year baseball career, Griffey Jr. made 13 All-Star Games. He is a 10-time Gold Glover, seven-time Silver Slugger and won the American League MVP Award in 1997.

The longtime Seattle Mariner slashed .284/.370/.538 with 630 home runs and 1,836 RBI. He also played for the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago White Sox and retired after the 2010 season.

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