PEORIA, Ariz. — Ken Griffey Jr., the greatest player in Seattle Mariners history, has agreed to rejoin the club as a special consultant and work with the team in a variety of roles this coming season.
The Mariners announced today that Griffey, who retired midway through the 2010 season, will work with the team at various points throughout spring training and the regular season, as well as visiting most of Seattle’s minor league affiliates.
“I’m looking forward to staying very involved with the Mariners, working with the players throughout the organization, staying involved with the community and assisting in other areas,” Griffey said in a statement. “It’s an exciting time and I’m appreciative of the opportunity.”
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Griffey retired last season after 22 years in the Major Leagues, including 13 with Seattle.
“He is our iconic player, the best player to ever play for the Mariners,” said club president Chuck Armstrong. “The way I look at it is, Kenny has come back home.”
Armstrong said Griffey’s role is still evolving, but that among his desires is to talk to the club’s minor leaguers about what it means to be a Mariner, as well as meeting with corporate partners and representing the team in various ways.
“I can’t think of anybody better for that than Ken Griffey Jr.,” Armstrong said.
The Mariners said Griffey will be involved in Major League Baseball operations and player development as well as its minor league system, marketing, broadcasting and community relations.
