Major League Baseball announced on Friday that Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. was named senior adviser to Commissioner Rob Manfred. In his new role, Griffey will focus on “baseball operations and the development of youth baseball, especially in relation to improving diversity at amateur levels of the game,” while working with Manfred’s office on a number of other baseball operations issues. He will also serve as an ambassador for youth baseball initiatives and events like the All-Star Game.
“We are thrilled that Ken represents Major League Baseball at some of the most important stages of our sport, alongside our current and future stars,” said Commissioner Manfred in a statement prepared in today’s press release. “We welcome the perspective and insights that Ken gained as a historic player, as a father and as someone who spent his life in and around our big game.”
Griffey also offered his own statement: “I am humbled to be invited to work with the Major League Baseball in this role. It will be an honor to represent the best sport in the world and promote our sport among young people today. “
Griffey, 51, has become the second prominent name to join the commissioner’s office as a consultant in recent weeks. MLB announced not long ago that Theo Epstein, former president of the Cubs baseball operations and general manager of Red Sox, would join the firm as a consultant on field issues such as rule changes and pace-of-play initiatives.