The Nike Shox Ken Griffey Jr.

The Kid

Ken Griffey Jr. was born on November 21, 1969. The Kid was a baseball phenom at an early age. He hung around ballparks as a child, with his father.

Ken Griffey Sr. was a professional baseball player, and Jr. was able to experience the game up close. His natural ability was impossible to overlook. The baseball world was aware of Griffey Jr. early on.

Sr. & Jr.

In 1987, Jr. was the first player selected in the Major League Baseball draft. He then signed with the Seattle Mariners. He debuted in the league in 1989.

When Jr. began playing for the Mariners, his father, Griffey Sr., was still in the league. He was playing for the Cincinnati Reds. Jr. and Sr. became the first father and son to play in the MLB at the same time.

Later in the 1989 season, Sr. requested to be traded to the Mariners. The father and son duo were a sentimental and popular story in sports at the time.

The Cool Kid

There was something about The Kid that was just cool. His swagger, his swing, the way he wore his cap backwards, it was all cool.

Baseball, America’s past time, was having a tough time in the 90s appealing to the youth of America. Football and basketball were more entertaining to play and watch in the minds of much of the country.

Griffey Jr. appealed to the nontraditional baseball fan. His speed and power hitting were thrilling to watch. His charisma on the field and off made him a star. Griffey Jr. made the game, and being a star, look effortless.

- Adam C. Better