MAIN Sports Sports Stars Ken Griffey, Jr.

Born George Kenneth Griffey, Jr. in Donora, Pennsylvania on November 21, 1969 Griffey was raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, where his father, Ken Griffey, Sr., played with the Cincinnati Reds.

The younger Griffey followed his father into the major leagues and later was awarded a Gold Glove for defensive excellence in 10 consecutive seasons, from 1990 to 1999 playing center field. Along the way, he made history when he played alongside his father with the Seattle Mariners in 1990 and 1991.

Griffey, Jr.'s career began in 1989 when he signed with the Seattle Mariners. Other career highlights include his being named American League MVP in 1997, hitting .304, with 56 home runs and 147 runs batted in. Two years later, he signed on with the Cincinnati Reds, once again teaming up with his father, now a coach for the Reds.

Although injury-prone since joining the Reds in the 2004 season, Griffey Jr. became the 20th player to reach 500 career home runs. However, he later suffered a hamstring injury and ended the season on the disabled list.

Early in the 2006 season was once again on the comeback trail, after overtaking Mickey Mantle's 12th place on all-time home run record. Later in the season, he rose to 10th place on the list after tying Reggie Jackson's 563 career homeruns.

By 2007, Griffey continued to shatter records by rising to 8th on the list, surpassing Harmon Killebrew with 573 career home runs. In 2008, Griffey joined the "600 Club" when he became only the sixth major league player to hit 600 career home runs.

More headline news erupted in 2009 just before the season began when Griffey Jr. signed a one-year contract to return to the Seattle Mariners, where he spent his first 11 years in Major League Baseball.

Off the field, Griffey and his wife Melissa have 3 children: George Kenneth III ("Trey"), daughter Taryn Kennedy, and adopted son Tevin Kendall.

Cincinnati Reds Player Information - Ken Griffey Jr. - Biography and career highlights, video clips, and stats from the last three seasons.

Ken Griffey, Jr. - A detailed biography from Wikipedia including his early life, career highlights, pop culture references, pictures, stats, related links.

ESPN.com - Ken Griffey Jr. - The latest news, career batting and fielding stats, photo, vital stats and scouting reports.

Ken's Klubhouse - Huge fan site featuring two extensive photo galleries of Griffey's career with the Mariners and Reds, video clips, biography, message boards.

also see in Sports -> World Series Baseball | World Baseball Classic

also see in Sports Idols -> Jason Giambi | Ken Griffey, Jr.

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