Ken Griffey Jr. named senior advisor to commissioner by MLB

Major League Baseball announced Friday that Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. has been named a senior advisor to commissioner Rob Manfred. In his new role, Griffey will place an emphasis on “baseball operations and youth baseball development, particularly regarding improving diversity at amateur levels of the game,” although he’ll work with Manfred’s office on various other baseball operations issues. He’ll also serve as an ambassador at youth baseball initiatives and at events such as the All-Star Game.

“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,” commissioner Manfred said in a prepared statement within Friday’s press release. “We welcome the perspective and insights that Ken gained as an historic player, as a parent, and as someone who has spent his life in and around our great game.”

Griffey offered his own statement as well: “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.”

The 51-year-old Griffey becomes the second high-profile name to join the commissioner’s office in an advisory capacity in recent weeks. MLB announced not long ago that Theo Epstein, former Cubs president of baseball operations and Red Sox general manager, would be joining the office as a consultant regarding on-field matters such as rule changes and pace of play initiatives.