Ken Griffey Jr. biography, married, wife, melissa griffey, salary, jersey, outfielder, net worth

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<h2>Early Life and Background</h2>
<p><a href="/biography/ken-griffey-jr">George Kenneth “Ken” Griffey Jr.</a> was born on November 21, 1969, in Donora, Pennsylvania. He was raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, where his father, <a href="/biography/ken-griffey-jr">Ken Griffey Sr.</a>, played professional baseball for the Cincinnati Reds. <a href="/biography/ken-griffey-jr">Ken Jr.</a> attended Moeller High School in Cincinnati and graduated in 1987. That same year, he was selected as the first overall pick in the Major League Baseball Draft by the Seattle Mariners.</p>

<h2>Early Career and Challenges</h2>
<p>In 1988, Griffey Jr. moved to Bellingham, Washington, to begin his professional baseball career with the Bellingham Mariners, Seattle’s Class A farm team. Despite his talent, he faced personal challenges, including family tension and adapting to a new team environment. These pressures contributed to a difficult period in his life, during which he attempted suicide. Fortunately, he recovered and went on to make his Major League debut with the Seattle Mariners in 1989 at just 19 years old, making him one of the youngest players in Major League Baseball at the time.</p>

<h2>Rise to Stardom with the Seattle Mariners</h2>
<p>Griffey quickly established himself as one of the most dynamic outfielders in Major League Baseball. Known for his smooth swing and elite defensive skills, he became one of the top all-around hitters and fielders in the league. During his time with Seattle, he recorded over 40 home runs in a season six times. He was awarded the American League Most Valuable Player (MVP) title in 1997 and won ten consecutive Gold Glove Awards as a center fielder.</p>

<p>One of Griffey’s most memorable moments came in the 1995 American League Division Series against the New York Yankees, when he scored the winning run in Game 5, securing a dramatic series victory for Seattle.</p>

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<h2>Transition to the Cincinnati Reds</h2>
<p>In 1999, Griffey requested a trade from the Mariners, citing a desire to be closer to his family in Cincinnati. He was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in 2000, the same team where his father had played. Although he returned to his hometown with great expectations, his time with the Reds was marred by repeated injuries that limited his playing time and performance over several seasons.</p>

<h2>Career Milestones and Later Years</h2>
<p>Despite setbacks, Griffey remained a powerful hitter. In 2004, he became the 20th player in MLB history to hit 500 career home runs. That same year, he expressed a desire to return to the Seattle Mariners if the opportunity arose. His final game with the Cincinnati Reds took place on July 30, 2008.</p>

<p>Later that year, Griffey joined the Chicago White Sox on a one-year contract. He hit his first home run for the White Sox on August 20, 2008. In 2009, Griffey returned to the Seattle Mariners for a final stint before officially retiring in 2010.</p>

<h2>Accomplishments and Honors</h2>
<p>Throughout his illustrious career as an outfielder, Griffey won four American League home run titles, ten Gold Glove Awards, and seven Silver Slugger Awards. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016, receiving one of the highest voting percentages in Hall of Fame history. His jersey number, 24, was officially retired by the Seattle Mariners.</p>

<h2>Personal Life and Legacy</h2>
<p>From an early age, Griffey had interests beyond baseball, including music—he took piano lessons as a child. He is married to Melissa Griffey, and together they have three children: sons Trey Kenneth and Tevin Kendall (who is adopted), and daughter Taryn Kennedy.</p>

<p>Ken Griffey Jr. has an estimated net worth of approximately $85 million and, during his playing years, earned a reported salary of $2.3 million. Widely regarded as one of the greatest baseball players of all time, his impact on the game continues to influence aspiring athletes and baseball fans across the country.</p>

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