Hall of Famer Ken “The Kid” Griffey Jr. will be working with MLB commissioner Rob Manfred on “baseball operations, youth development and improving diversity” according to MLB.com. Griffey, who retired in 2010, has been in talks for the past 3 years with the commissioner and accepted the offer once his youngest child entered college. Griffey’s interest in spending time with his family made him hesitant in returning to the “greatest sport in the world” and cites his father’s Ken Griffey Sr. absence from his games as a catalyst for wanting to spend time with his family after his retirement.
Recently, the MLB announced the first female General Manager and Coach for the Florida Marlins and Boston Red Sox. The addition of Ken Griffey to the front office adds to the league’s desire to be more diverse and inclusive.