If there was ever any question who your favorite baseball player’s favorite baseball player is, Friday’s Team USA practice gave you a resounding answer.
As the Americans wrapped up on the field ahead of a World Baseball Classic quarterfinal against Venezuela on Saturday, Team USA hitting coach Ken Griffey Jr. was coaxed into an impromptu home run derby against assistant coach Brian McCann. Naturally, the entire roster crowded around the plate to get a glimpse of the most perfect swing the sport has ever seen.
Team USA has 12 minutes left of BP. It has convinced Ken Griffey Jr. to take some hacks. Mike Trout lent him his batting gloves, Mookie Betts brought him a bat.
— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) March 17, 2023
Witnessing greatness. 🇺🇸🐐
All of the Team USA players stood around to watch Ken Griffey Jr. take BP
(via @MarlyRiveraESPN)
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 17, 2023
The Kid’s still got it… as if there was any doubt.
Ken Griffey Jr. went yard after the Team USA players convinced him to take a few swings. #WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/SWmtJQ2yFw
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) March 17, 2023
“It was sick,’’ Mike Trout told USA TODAY Sports Bob Nightengale. “Nothing like it.’’
All tournament the players for USA have reportedly begged Griffey to step up to the plate. He finally gave in.
The last time The Kid made MLB’s All-Star Game was 2007.
Kyle Schwarber was 13. Pete Alonso was 12. Kyle Tucker was 10. Bobby Witt Jr. was seven years old. Tim Anderson probably hadn’t even watched a baseball game yet. You get the point. Griffey retired three years later as his role on the bench became more about mentoring players than showing them how it’s done at the plate.
Sure, these guys knew all the highlights and stats and stories, but it’s completely different when you get to hear the ball crack off the bat up close. The absolute look of joy and giddiness as the 53-year-old knocked the ball around loanDepot Park in Miami on Friday proves it.
“Guys were putting a lot of pressure on him,’’ Trout told reporters. “We wanted to see it so bad. He said, ‘Give me 10 swings, and I know I can hit one out.'”
Of course he did. He’s Ken Griffey Jr.
