Ken Griffey Jr. Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

Watch: Ken Griffey Jr. takes BP with Team USA, smashes HR

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 3/17/23

Even at 53 years old, "The Kid" still has it.

On Friday, former Seattle Mariners great Ken Griffey Jr. took batting practice with Team USA at loanDepot Park in Miami, Fla., one of the host cities of the World Baseball Classic.

As Griffey stepped into the box, a large group of today's stars gathered around like giddy school children to watch. Then, the Hall of Famer went to work, showing that his left-handed swing is still as sweet as we all remember.

And here’s Junior. #WorldBaseballClassic https://t.co/0O3A9rHBez pic.twitter.com/5ILyGQLLr6
— Marly Rivera (@MarlyRiveraESPN) March 17, 2023

While the U.S. team—comprised of former MVPs and All-Stars—watched in awe, Griffey saved his best for last, tattooing his final pitch into the right-field stands.

Team USA hitting coach Ken Griffey Jr. prefers to lead by example. #WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/v1IliTmrNs
— MLBPA (@MLBPA) March 17, 2023

Griffey, the Team USA's hitting coach, is one of several recognizable faces on the staff, joining pitching coach Andy Pettitte, bench coach Jerry Manuel, bullpen coach Dave Righetti, and manager Mark DeRosa.

A special consultant with the Mariners since 2011, Griffey has worked with players in spring training and the minor leagues, but this is his first foray into coaching.

As for the team on the field, the U.S. continues its run in the WBC Saturday night against Venezuela in the final quarterfinal matchup of the tournament. With a victory, the U.S. will head to the WBC semifinals facing off against Cuba on Monday, March 20.

Meanwhile, Puerto Rico and Mexico will battle it out for the final semifinal berth on Friday night, with the winner matching up against Japan, also on Monday.

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