Ken Griffey Jr. Net Worth (Money & Salary)

Ken Griffey Jr.’s Net Worth and Career Earnings

Ken Griffey Jr., a former professional baseball player from the United States, boasts a net worth of $90 million. Familiarly known as “Junior” or “the Kid,” he played for notable teams, including the Seattle Mariners and the Cincinnati Reds. Renowned for his impressive home run tally, he is viewed as one of the top home run hitters in the history of baseball, achieving a total of 630 home runs, placing him seventh in the all-time home run standings.

Not just a powerful hitter, Ken excelled defensively, earning the Gold Glove Award ten times during his career as a center fielder. His remarkable achievements led to his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016, where he received an outstanding 99.32% of the vote. Moreover, he was named an All-Star 13 times. Following his playing career with the Mariners, Ken transitioned into a special consultant role within the team’s front office.

Contracts and Career Earnings

Throughout his professional baseball journey, Ken Griffey Jr. amassed an impressive $150 million in salary alone, which equates to approximately $190 million when adjusted for inflation. His highest annual salary reached $12.5 million over four seasons (2001, 2003, 2004, and 2005), and the 2001 figure translates to about $18.4 million in today’s terms. His final salary in MLB was $2.3 million.

His most substantial contract was a $116.5 million agreement for nine years with the Cincinnati Reds in 2000, which included deferred payments for half the sum. As a result, Ken continues to receive $3.5 million annually from the organization, which will persist until 2025.

Background and Early Life

George Kenneth Griffey Jr. was born on November 21, 1969, in Donora, Pennsylvania. Coming from an athletic lineage, his father, Ken Griffey Sr., was also an MLB player, having joined the Cincinnati Reds when Ken Jr. was around six years old. Afterward, the family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where Griffey Jr. learned early on about the significance of team performance over individual accolades, a lesson emphasized by his father.

Demonstrating his athletic abilities at a young age, he flourished into an outstanding baseball player during high school. In 1987, he earned the title of US high school baseball player of the year after belting 17 home runs over two seasons. Despite showing great promise in baseball, Ken also excelled in football, receiving scholarship offers from various colleges.

Professional Career

Ken Griffey Jr.’s professional journey commenced in 1987 when he was the first overall selection drafted by the Seattle Mariners. He secured a signing bonus of $160,000 and honed his skills with the Bellingham Mariners of the Northwest League and the San Bernardino Spirit of the California League.

His initial official game for the Mariners took place in 1989, and over the next 11 seasons, Ken established a robust reputation. During this time, he hit 398 home runs and stole 167 bases. He became well-known for his remarkable diving catches while playing defense. A historically significant moment arrived in 1990 when both he and his father played on the same team, marking a first in MLB history. Ken’s father ultimately retired in 1991.

Griffey was instrumental in a notable victory against the New York Yankees during the Division Series. In 1997, he contributed to Seattle’s triumph in the AL West division. However, by 1999, injuries began to affect Ken’s performance, allowing Sammy Sosa to surpass him in home runs that season.

In 2000, Griffey continued on his path…traded to the Cincinnati Reds. Once more, his accomplishments fell short of his previous ones. Injuries continued to trouble Ken, culminating in a right hamstring rupture in 2004. However, by 2005, Ken began to show signs of improvement, earning the title of National League Comeback Player of the Year. Even though he had several years of decent performance with the Reds, Griffey’s time in Cincinnati is largely viewed negatively.

After a short stint with the Chicago White Sox, Griffey accepted a $4 million buyout and made a return to the Mariners to conclude his baseball career. In his final two years, he maintained a high level of play, although some critics suggested that his return to Seattle was more about drawing crowds than his performance on the field. Ken Griffey Jr. officially announced his retirement from professional baseball in 2010.

Seattle Sounders Ownership

In November 2020, Ken took on the role of a minority owner with the Seattle Sounders soccer team.

Endorsements

Throughout his career, Ken supplemented his MLB income through numerous lucrative endorsement contracts, notably with brands like Nintendo and Nike. During his time as a player, he stood out as one of the most marketable athletes in Major League Baseball, thanks to his positive image and lack of links to steroid controversies (in contrast to many of his peers). At one point, Griffey also graced the cover of Wheaties cereal.

Film and Television Appearances

Apart from his baseball career, Griffey has made appearances in various cameo roles across multiple films and television series. Noteworthy appearances include shows like “The Simpsons” and “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” along with films such as “Little Big League” and “Summer Catch.”

Relationships

Griffey, along with his wife Melissa, has two biological children and adopted a third child. Their son, George Kenneth III (popularly known as Trey Griffey), is making a name for himself as a wide receiver in the NFL, while their daughter, Taryn, is part of a women’s basketball team. The Griffey family currently resides in Florida.

Real Estate

In 2004, Ken acquired a sprawling mansion in Windermere, a suburb of Orlando, for $2.75 million. The lakefront estate spans over 10 acres and includes a 24,000-square-foot mansion complete with a sports court, a resort-style swimming pool, and a dock. Additionally, he owns at least one vacant lot adjacent to the property for enhanced privacy.

Health Issues

Griffey experiences pleurisy, a condition characterized by inflammation of the lungs’ lining,resulting in considerable suffering. The condition was first diagnosed in him in 2007.

Suicide Attempt

When Ken Griffey Jr. was 18, he attempted to take his own life. He ingested over 250 Aspirin pills in an overdose attempt, but his life was preserved after being admitted to a hospital’s intensive care unit. He acknowledged that he had previously pondered suicide before that incident, citing disputes with his father alongside his depression as contributing factors to his mindset.

Philanthropy

Griffey established The Ken Griffey Jr. Family Foundation, which supports various charities including the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and several hospitals. In an effort to generate funds for his foundation, Ken launched a collection of wines in 2008.