Ken Griffey Jr Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What Is Ken Griffey Jr.’s Net Worth and Career Earnings?

An American former professional baseball player, Ken Griffey Jr. boasts a net worth of $90 million. Commonly referred to as “Junior” or “the Kid,” his career saw him play for teams including the Seattle Mariners and the Cincinnati Reds. Renowned for his exceptional home run record, Ken is celebrated as one of baseball’s standout home run hitters, having achieved a total of 630 home runs, which ranks him seventh in the all-time home run leaderboard.

In addition to his home run prowess, Ken earned a reputation as an outstanding defensive player, securing the Gold Glove Award ten times during his career in center field. These accomplishments led to his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016, where he garnered an impressive 99.32% of the votes. Furthermore, he was selected as an All-Star 13 times. Following his playing days with the Mariners, he transitioned to a special consultant role within the team’s front office.

Career Earnings and Contracts

Throughout his illustrious baseball career, Ken Griffey Jr. accumulated $150 million solely from his salary, equating to approximately $190 million when adjusted for inflation. His peak salary reached $12.5 million during four seasons (2001, 2003, 2004, and 2005), which is equivalent to around $18.4 million today when considering inflation. His last salary in MLB was $2.3 million.

Ken’s most substantial contract was a nine-year deal worth $116.5 million signed with the Cincinnati Reds in 2000, which included deferred payments. As a result, Ken still receives $3.5 million annually from the organization, a stream that will continue until 2025.

Early Life

Born George Kenneth Griffey Jr. on November 21, 1969, in Donora, Pennsylvania, Ken hailed from an athletic family. His father, Ken Griffey Sr., was also a Major League Baseball player who joined the Cincinnati Reds when Ken Jr. was around six years old. The family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where Ken learned the importance of teamwork over individual performance, a lesson imparted by his father.

Demonstrating athletic talent at a young age, Ken blossomed into a stellar baseball player during high school. He earned the title of US high school baseball player of the year in 1987, hitting 17 home runs over two seasons. In addition to excelling in baseball, Ken Jr. was a talented football player, receiving scholarship offers from various colleges.

Career

Ken Griffey Jr.’s professional journey commenced in 1987 when he was selected as the first overall draft pick by the Seattle Mariners. He received a signing bonus of $160,000 and gained valuable experience playing for both the Bellingham Mariners in the Northwest League and the San Bernardino Spirit in the California League.

Making his debut for the Mariners in 1989, Ken spent the next 11 seasons establishing his legacy. During this time, he hit 398 home runs and stole 167 bases, while also becoming renowned for his incredible diving catches in the outfield. A historic moment came in 1990 when Ken played on the same team as his father, marking a first in MLB history; his father ultimately retired in 1991.

Griffey played a crucial role in a memorable victory against the New York Yankees during the Division Series and helped Seattle clinch the AL West title in 1997. However, by 1999, injuries began to hinder his performance, leading to Sammy Sosa surpassing him in home runs that year.

In 2000, he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds, where his statistics struggled compared to earlier achievements due to ongoing injuries. In 2004, he ruptured his right hamstring, but by 2005, he had made a commendable comeback, receiving the National League Comeback Player of the Year award. Despite showing solid performance with the Reds, Griffey’s tenure there is generally viewed less favorably.

After a short stint with the Chicago White Sox, Griffey received a $4 million buyout and returned to the Mariners to conclude his career. In these final two years, he maintained a commendable level of play, although some speculated his return was primarily for ticket sales. Ken Griffey Jr. announced his retirement from professional baseball in 2010.

Endorsements

In addition to his MLB earnings, Ken has secured multiple lucrative endorsement deals throughout the years. Notable among these were partnerships with Nintendo and Nike. As one of the most marketable athletes in Major League Baseball during his playing career, he was recognized for maintaining a positive image and was not associated with steroid usage, unlike many peers. He even graced the cover of Wheaties cereal at one point.

Film and Television Appearances

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

Relationships

Ken and his wife Melissa are parents to two children and have also adopted a third child. Their son, George Kenneth III (nicknamed Trey Griffey), plays as a wide receiver in the NFL, while their daughter Taryn plays on the women’s basketball team. The Griffey family resides in Florida.

Real Estate

In 2004, Ken acquired a luxurious mansion in Windermere, an Orlando suburb, for $2.75 million. This sprawling 10+ acre lakefront property includes a 24,000-square-foot mansion, complete with a sports court, resort-style pool, and dock. For added privacy, he also owns at least one of the surrounding vacant lots.

Health Issues

Ken has been dealing with pleurisy, a painful condition marked by inflammation of the lung lining. He was diagnosed with this ailment back in 2007.

Suicide Attempt

At 18 years old, Ken Griffey Jr. made a suicide attempt by overdosing on Aspirin, taking more than 250 pills. However, thanks to prompt medical attention in an intensive care unit, he survived. He later disclosed that he had struggled with suicidal thoughts prior to this incident, attributing his feelings to arguments with his father and underlying depression.

Philanthropy

Griffey established The Ken Griffey Jr. Family Foundation, which supports various charities like the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and multiple hospitals. He initiated a series of wines in 2008 to generate funds for his foundation.