Over a month since soccer legend Lionel Messi signed up for Inter Miami, his U.S. matches proceed to draw sports activities legends and celebrities, and Wednesday’s match had a novel twist.
Ken Griffey Jr., the Corridor of Fame baseball participant, was noticed photographing Messi’s match in Miami towards Nashville SC. He was additionally seen taking photos with Floyd Mayweather earlier than the sport. Throughout the match, Griffey, sporting his signature backward baseball hat, was captured working as a photographer on the sidelines. The match resulted in a 0-0 draw.
Griffey was formally listed as a nonetheless photographer for the occasion, in keeping with Miami sports activities broadcaster Josh Moser. Griffey has a historical past in pictures, courting again to a minimum of 2015 when he was noticed taking photos on the Fiesta Bowl, in keeping with the New York Put up.
53-year-old Griffey, a Mariners legend for 13 seasons, not too long ago attended this yr’s House Run Derby in Seattle. He even took some images on the occasion, the place present Mariners All-Star Julio Rodriguez was featured.
Randy Johnson, a Corridor of Fame teammate of Griffey’s in Seattle, has additionally pursued sports activities pictures in retirement. In 2016, Griffey expressed his need to {photograph} monitor and discipline occasions on the Olympics sooner or later.
In Wednesday’s recreation, there was no scoring, however Griffey witnessed historical past as Miami did not win for the primary time in 10 matches since Messi joined the membership.
Griffey, born on November 21, 1969, in Donora, Pennsylvania, had a outstanding baseball profession. He grew up in Cincinnati, the place he watched his father, Ken Griffey Sr., play for the Reds. Griffey Jr. confirmed promise early on, and he was ultimately drafted by the Mariners, a range hailed as top-of-the-line in MLB Draft historical past by Baseball America.
Griffey confronted challenges within the minor leagues however made his MLB debut on Opening Day in 1989. In his first at-bat, he doubled off ace Dave Stewart. Notably, each Griffey and his father performed within the majors concurrently, a novel feat, in keeping with Corridor of Famers.
Griffey rapidly turned a outstanding determine in baseball, gracing the quilt of Sports activities Illustrated in Could 1990. He earned his first All-Star Recreation choice, a Gold Glove Award, and spectacular batting stats by the top of the 1990 season.
All through his profession, Griffey gathered 13 All-Star Recreation alternatives, 10 Gold Glove Awards, and 7 Silver Slugger Awards earlier than retiring. His legacy in baseball is undeniably outstanding.
