Ken Griffey Jr. takes a swing at politics
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Ken Griffey Jr. continues to be a role model in more ways than one. On Tuesday, the future Major League Baseball Hall of Famer and owner of baseball’s sweetest swing was tapped by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to be the newest American Public Diplomacy Envoy.
As part of his role, Griffey will travel overseas to speak to young people to embody the “values of the United States, not the government of the United States,” according to Rice. “When Ken Griffey travels overseas, one of his greatest objectives will be to talk to young people and to spark their interest in America and in our culture.”
Griffey joins former baseball superstar Cal Ripken Jr., figure skater Michelle Kwan and actress Fran Drescher as envoys and will make his first trip to Panama in January. Known as one of MLB’s most respected and likable players, Griffey knew his heart was in the right place when Rice came knocking on his door.
“When Dr. Rice called and said that she would like me to do this, I didn’t really have to think about it,” he said. “After a certain age, you pretty much set your ways. But if we can reach out to young children about our culture and also about our pastime, [that’s important].”
Griffey currently ranks sixth on MLB’s all-time home run list with 611. Griffey spent last season with the Cincinnati Reds before being traded to the Chicago White Sox. He is now a free agent. – gavin philip godfrey
