To add further hype to the upcoming World Baseball Classic, an American baseball icon will serve in a prominent role during the event.
On Wednesday, Major League Baseball announced that Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. will return to the world stage as a Global Ambassador for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
As part of Griffey’s role, he will be a visible face of the tournament and be part of exclusive interviews and access featuring “significant participants” that will air on MLB Network and WBC platforms.
“Growing the game of baseball all over the world is a continuing mission I have,” Griffey said to MLB.com. “There is so much anticipation around this tournament, so to get the chance to lock in and share how all of these different countries connect with our great game is an opportunity I’m truly excited about.”
Ken Griffey Jr. excelled in the inaugural WBC in 2006
Griffey is no stranger to the WBC and now becomes the first person to play, coach and act in an ambassador-type role in MLB’s premier international competition throughout March.
In 2006, Griffey took part in the inaugural WBC and performed at such a high level that he was named to the All-WBC team. He hit .524 with three home runs and 10 RBI in his lone WBC appearance as a player.
More recently, Griffey was the hitting coach for Team USA in 2023 when the Americans finished as the runner-ups, losing in the championship game to Japan.
Ken Griffey Jr. is regarded as one of the greatest players in history
Outside of his success in the WBC, Griffey became a legend of the game throughout his playing career with the Seattle Mariners, Cincinnati Reds and Chicago White Sox.
Often referred to as “The Kid,” the son of two-time World Series champion and former Team USA coach Ken Griffey Sr. crushed 630 home runs, drove in 1,836 runs and scored 1,662 times in 22 seasons. He also recorded a cumulative .284 batting average, 2,781 hits, 524 doubles, a .370 OBP, a .538 slug and a bWAR of 83.8.
Resume-wise, Griffey made 13 All-Star teams and was honored as the 1992 All-Star Game MVP. Most notably, he was named the 1997 American League MVP and 2005 National League Comeback Player of the Year.
Known as one of the most complete players in history, Griffey won 10 Gold Gloves at center field (tied for the second most at the position all time). Offensively, he owns seven Silver Slugger Awards. Griffey has also held the title of senior advisor to the commissioner of baseball, Rob Manfred, since 2021.