Major League Baseball announced Friday that Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. appointed as a senior adviser to Commissioner Rob Manfred. In his new role, Griffey will focus on ‘baseball activities and youth baseball development, especially with regard to improving diversity at amateur levels of the game’, although he will work with Manfred’s office on several other baseball activities. surgical matters. He also serves as an ambassador at youth baseball initiatives and at events such as the All-Star Game.
“We are delighted that Ken, along with our current and future stars, will represent Major League Baseball on some of the most important stages of our sport,” Commissioner Manfred said in a prepared statement in today’s press release. “We welcome the perspective and insights Ken has gained as a historical player, as a parent, and as someone who has spent his life in and around our wonderful game.”
Griffey also offered his own statement: ‘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 the youth of today. ”
The 51-year-old Griffey has become the second high name the commissioner has attended in recent weeks. MLB recently announced that Theo Epstein, former Cubs president of baseball operations and Red Sox general manager, will join the office as a consultant on matters on the field, such as changing rules and the pace of gaming initiatives.