Seattle Mariner Legend Ken Griffey Jr. Joins MLB to Help the Kids

The Kid is back, to give back and help the kids.

Seattle Mariner legend and Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. has agreed to join MLB in helping to spread the gospel of baseball to the youth of the world.

I can't think of a better ambassador.

"I am humbled to be asked to work with major league baseball in this role," Griffey said in a statement. "It will be an honor to represent the best sport in the world and to promote our game among today's youth."

Griffey's role will focus on consulting the commissioner's office on a variety of issues, with a special focus on youth baseball development. That includes the improvement of diversity at all amateur levels of baseball.

The Kid will also serve as an ambassador for the sport during Major League Baseball's youth baseball initiatives and major events such as the All-Star Game and postseason.

During his 22-season playing career with the Mariners, Reds and White Sox, Griffey was a 13-time All-Star, snared 10 Gold Gloves, won the MVP award in 1997 and was named on 99.3% of ballots when he was voted into Baseball's Hall of Fame in 2016.

Griffey is cited all the time by today's players as one of the most culturally influential players of his generation, think the iconic backward hat, the Ken Griffey Jr. Presents Major League Baseball video game series and his Nike Air Griffey sneaker line.

And did you know Griffey was the first player to honor Jackie Robinson by wearing his #42 in 2007 on Jackie Robinson Day? That tribute was expanded to all on-field personnel by then commissioner Bud Selig, and it's a tradition that has continued annually to the present.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said, "We are thrilled that Ken will represent Major League Baseball on some of our sport's most important stages, alongside our curret and future stars. We welcome the perspective and insights that Ken gained as a historic player, as a parent, and as someone who has spent his life in and around our great game."