Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred announced Hall of Fame outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. has been hired as one of his special advisors in the league office.
In his new role, Griffey will consult on a number of issues, including baseball operations and diversifying youth baseball development, as well as serving as an ambassador at youth baseball initiatives and special events.
“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 a historic player, as a parent, and as someone who has spent his life in and around our great game.”
Griffey should be familiar with his new role, as he has served as a youth ambassador for both MLB and the MLB Players Association on their joint baseball development initiatives since 2016.
“I am humbled to be asked to work with Major League Baseball in this role. It will be an honor to represent the best sport in the world and to promote our game among today’s youth,” Griffey said.
During his 22-year Major League career, Griffey was named an All-Star 13 times while also winning an MVP, 10 Gold Gloves and seven Silver Sluggers. He was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016, appearing on 99.3% of the ballots, which was a record at the time.
As one of the more popular players among children growing up during his career, this is a perfect role for Griffey to help MLB grow the game, particularly in African-American communities.
Epstein focused on making baseball more entertaining
Manfred has been busy hiring advisors and consultants this offseason as earlier in the winter he did the same with former Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein.
Epstein’s role will be a bit different than Griffey’s as his focus will be with making baseball more entertaining, which is also much-needed to continue to grow the sport.
Manfred’s approval rating has decreased significantly in recent years, so hiring two people as respected as Griffey and Epstein could be an effort to help rebuild that.
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