Ken Griffey's baseball career

Atlanta Braves

Outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. rejects Braves, will sign with Mariners. A look at the career of the future Hall of Famer.

Ken Griffey Jr. started his Hall of Fame career in 1989 with the Seattle Mariners. He has decided to re-join them instead of signing with the Braves last year. On June 2, 2010, Griffey announced his retirement.

Griffey played 11 seasons with the Mariners smashing 1,752 hits, 398 home runs, 1,152 RBIs and 167 stolen bases. He also won an American League MVP award in 1997.

After the 1999 season, Griffey was granted a request for a trade and was sent to Cincinnati -- his childhood home.

Known more for his offensive production, Griffey is a 10-time Gold Glove Award winner. Dealing with a nagging right knee injury that was repaired in October, he made 123 appearances as an outfielder last season.

Griffey hit his 600th career home run against the Florida Marlins last June. He is one of six players to have hit 600 homers.

In eight full seasons with the Reds, Griffey had 816 hits, 195 homers and 549 RBIs. During his time in Cincinnati, he was plagued by a number of injuries that limited his power and appearances at the plate.

Griffey, 39, was acquired by the Chicago White Sox in a trade deadline deal last season. He batted .249 with 18 homers and a .424 slugging percentage in 490 combined at-bats with the Reds and White Sox last season. Chicago declined a $4 million option, making him a free agent.

The trade to Cincinnati reunited Griffey Jr. (right) with his dad, Ken Griffey, an MLB veteran who played for several teams, including the Reds (1973-81, 1988-90), the Yankees (1982-86), the Braves (1986-1988) and the Mariners alongside his son (1990-91). The elder Griffey spent nearly six years as a Reds assistant coach.

A giant banner commemorating Griffey's 600th homer hangs outside Cincinnati's Great American Ballpark.

Griffey (left), then with Seattle, and then-Cardinals first baseman Mark McGwire were honored at Denver's Coors Field for getting the most votes in the 69th annual All-Star game.

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Ken Griffey Jr. started his Hall of Fame career in 1989 with the Seattle Mariners. He has decided to re-join them instead of signing with the Braves last year. On June 2, 2010, Griffey announced his retirement.

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