Griffey cherishing chance to be mentor at Hank Aaron Invitational

VERO BEACH, Fla. -- Ken Griffey Jr. practiced diving catches on his bed and jumped off the diving board into the pool, imagining himself making the play while growing up.

He visualized the perfect catch, run, pitch and swing.

That was one of the biggest pieces of advice he shared with the audience of high school-age players gathered at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex during Week 2 of this year's Hank Aaron Invitational. The amateur development event gives players the opportunity to receive coaching from former Major League players and coaches.

"Visualizing is key," Griffey said. "Also believing in yourself. That's probably the biggest thing. I respect the name on the front of a jersey but the name on the back -- I gotta believe [in] it because nobody else is going to."

Attending events like the HAI is important for him because it helps players realize their dreams are attainable because he was just like them.

"These kids have an opportunity to see all of us [the coaching staff] at one time and [have] one conversation [that] could change the direction of a kid's life,” Griffey said. "Hopefully a kid gets to have that conversation with any of the coaches and gets to be standing where I am."

Griffey also encouraged players to take advantage of every opportunity to learn. If they want to reach the Major Leagues, he said, the blueprint is right in front of them. Pointing to the coaching staff, Griffey reminded players that, for the next few days, they have the same opportunity he had growing up by learning from his father, Ken Griffey Sr., who was also in attendance.

Some players followed along with pens and notebooks in their laps as Griffey spoke. For participants Aiden Salinas and Tavis Honeycutt, the chance to pick the Hall of Famer's brain for more than 40 minutes was invaluable.

"I learned a lot [about] how his mindset is in the box and how he likes to catch the ball out front," Salinas said. "So I'm really going to put that into my play and see if that's something that works for me."

The 13-time All-Star also challenged the way players think about slumps, saying going 0-for-10 is part of baseball, and players shouldn't confuse bad luck with a slump.

“There are seven guys behind that pitcher that are going to make the play, and that's what they're there for,” Griffey said. “So if you hit a ball and he makes a great play, tip your hat.”

He also shared that his confidence was built through the same routine every day.

Griffey would go hit around 1 or 2 p.m. before regular batting practice and arrived at his practices at least an hour early. The hitting routine started with a few bunts before hitting balls in front of the infield dirt, then gradually progressing to line drives and balls into the outfield.

“What that does is keep me from tipping my shoulder and popping the ball up,” Griffey said. “If I hit it one groove up, it's going to be a home run. If I hit one groove down, it's going to be a hard ground ball.”

It took doing things that nobody would do because he wanted it all.

That emphasis on preparation and confidence also resonated with attendees. And he made sure to tell them to never be afraid to be great while discovering what will make them a great ball player.

"He said every game he wants to make all 27 outs," Salinas said. "Having the confidence to go out there and face any pitcher, to catch any ball, to track anything down is just really important for the game."

“​​Knowing you're the best in the field at any given time, no matter if you're slumping or you're hitting amazing, it's what keeps moving you to become a better baseball player,” Honeycutt added. “And just listening to him talk about how he went about the game and staying locked in, barely talking throughout the whole two hours of a game, is just incredible.”

For Griffey, the HAI gives young players the opportunity to learn from those who have already reached the heights they aspire to.

"These guys lived their dream. They want you to live yours,” Griffey said. “They want to be able to talk about, 'I remember this kid when he was this, and he came through our program, and now look at [him].’ That's all they care about.”

His biggest reward, he said, is hearing young players call him "coach."

"That means you've made an impression on their life,” Griffey said. “Being able to be called ‘coach’ is probably one of the greatest things, because [I] made an impact."