Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael Griffin
Baseball’s a hard game, especially when it comes to hitting. There are some who make that difficult task appear easy, though, and none of them did it as well as Ken Griffey Jr. It seemed like he could hit homers at will, and some feel that had he not had injuries that curtailed his playing time, he would be at the top of the career homer list. Here are 11 examples of how he dominated the game both in the batter’s box and on the field:
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630 Home Runs: The Kid’s Power Wasn’t Just Hype
Griffey didn’t just hit home runs—he launched them with a left-handed swing that ranks among the most beautiful ever. He hit 630 of them (he’s hugging his dad after No. 600) and each of them was majestic to watch. Those of us who got to see him live should be thankful.
10 Gold Gloves—Center Field Was Closed for Business
When it came to patrolling center field, Griffey lived to steal homers and base hits from any opponent. Ten Gold Gloves later, it was clear: if you hit it his way, you were out. Ask people like Jesse Barfield what it was like to see a potential homer land in The Kid’s glove.
1997 AL MVP: When Junior Was Baseball’s King
1997 was the year Griffey left no doubt—56 homers, 147 RBI, and a league MVP trophy. He was everywhere: at the plate, in the field, and on highlight reels. SportsCenter should have been renamed “The Griffey Show” during the baseball season.
Seven Silver Sluggers—Making Offense Look Effortless
Griffey racked up seven Silver Slugger awards, but he never looked like he was trying too hard. He’d dig in, show off that sweet swing, and the result was usually him standing on a base—or rounding them.
13 All-Star Appearances (Including That Iconic Derby Win)
Thirteen All-Star games meant thirteen chances to watch Griffey shine on baseball’s brightest stage. And who could forget his backwards cap and moonshot bombs during the Home Run Derby? He famously became the first player to hit the B&O Warehouse on the fly during the 1993 Derby at Camden Yards.
The “Spider-Man” Catch: Stealing a Homer at the Kingdome
In what is considered one of the greatest defensive plays ever, Griffey robbed Ruben Sierra of a sure home run. He raced back to the wall, leaped, and crashed into the padding, looking for a moment like Spider-Man sticking to a building. This iconic “Spider-Man Catch” was just one of many spectacular home run robberies in his career.
Tying a Record: Homers in 8 Straight Games
In July 1993, Griffey went on an incredible tear, hitting a home run in eight consecutive games. The streak tied the all-time MLB record held by Dale Long (1956) and Don Mattingly (1987). It was a stunning display of power that captivated the baseball world and further cemented his superstar status.
Back-to-Back Homers with Dad—Father-Son Magic
This is a proud Dad watching his son round the bases right after he had hit a homer of his own. It was an amazing moment in baseball history. Griffey Sr. wasn’t smiling, though, when Junior jumped in front of him to catch a fly ball. He surely forgave him thanks to his son’s hitting ability.
56 Home Runs—Twice!—And Chasing Maris in ‘97 & ‘98
Back-to-back seasons with 56 home runs had everyone wondering if Griffey would break Roger Maris’ record. Alas, it wasn’t to be, but The Kid still brought joy to anyone who watched him hit.
The 1995 ALDS Walk-Off Slide That Saved Baseball in Seattle
The most famous slide in Mariners history—Griffey scoring from first on Edgar Martinez’s double. The image of his joyous grin from under the pile of celebrating Seattle players is iconic.
Hall of Fame Induction—Breaking Records Even After Retirement
When Griffey became a Hall of Famer in 2016, he set a new record with 99.32% of the vote—the highest percentage ever received at the time. He took it all in stride and finished his induction speech by famously donning his signature backwards cap.