Griffey Hall of Fame Induction to benefit Seattle Children's Hospital
Sale of autographed commemorative bats and Hall of Fame Luncheon to benefit Ken Griffey Jr. Family Pediatric Cancer Research Endowment at Seattle Children's
Ken Griffey Jr.'s induction to the Seattle Mariners Hall of Fame in August will support Seattle Children's Hospital's nationally renowned efforts to find better, more effective treatments for children battling cancer. Proceeds from the Hall of Fame Luncheon on August 9, and the sale of limited edition commemorative bats will support a newly-created endowment in Griffey's name at Seattle Children's.
Ken Griffey Jr. Family Endowment for Pediatric Cancer Research
The Ken Griffey Jr. Family Endowment for Pediatric Cancer Research at Seattle Children's is an extension of the Ken Griffey Jr. Family Foundation, which supports children's hospitals in Seattle, Cincinnati and Florida, as well as Boys & Girls Clubs of America. The endowment will help fund clinical research and trials of innovative treatment of pediatric cancers Griffey HOF Batat Seattle Children's.
"We want to eliminate harmful effects of cancer treatment. Thanks to the support of our community, better care and cures are now within our reach," says Dr. Douglas Hawkins, Professor and Associate Chief for Seattle Children's Division of Hematology/Oncology. "The Ken Griffey Jr. Family Endowment for Pediatric Cancer Research at Seattle Children's will help take promising new ideas through the key phases of clinical trials, individualized to each patient, to find what could become the next lifesaving therapy.
Commemorative Bat
The limited edition Ken Griffey Jr. commemorative bat is a replica of the glossy black bat Griffey used during his 22-year Major League Baseball career. The bat features a laser-engraved "Swingman" logo, the number 24, and Griffey's authentic signature on the barrel. Only 1,000 bats have been created and 100 percent of the proceeds from their sale will support Seattle Children's Ken Griffey Jr. Family Pediatric Cancer Endowment.
The bats cost $250 each, plus shipping and handling, and are available while supplies last through a special online offer (https://giveto.seattlechildrens.org/ken-griffey-jr-bat-sales), or by calling 206-987-8209.
The Mariners announced in January that Griffey would become the seventh member of the Seattle Mariners Hall of Fame. Hall of Fame Weekend events include a luncheon in Griffey's honor at Safeco Field on August 9, and the pregame induction ceremony on Saturday, August 10, when the Mariners meet the Milwaukee Brewers.
Griffey was selected first overall in the June 1987 draft by the Mariners and less than two years later, at age 19, he was in center field on Opening Night in 1989. He proceeded to electrify the game of baseball in the 1990s, not just across the Northwest, but across the country. As testament to Griffey's talent and achievements, in 1999, he was one of 29 players named to the All-Century Team, a roster of the greatest players at each position in the history of MLB.
During Griffey's first 11 seasons in Seattle, he won 10 Gold Glove® Awards, was a 10-time MLB All-Star, 1997 Most Valuable Player (unanimous selection), and hit 398 home runs. Griffey retired from baseball on June 2, 2010 after a 22-year career with the Mariners (1989-1999, 2009-2010), Cincinnati Reds (2000-2008) and Chicago White Sox (2008). Griffey remains near the top of every offensive category in the Mariners record book and still holds several Mariners single-season records including home runs (56, 2 times), RBI (147) and extra base hits (93).
Hall of Fame Luncheon
The Ken Griffey Jr. Hall of Fame Luncheon is Friday, August 9, at Safeco Field. Tickets are $100. More information about the luncheon is available by calling 206-346-4011.
Hall of Fame Ceremony
Tickets are still available for the game on Saturday, August 10 (vs. Milwaukee Brewers). Griffey will be inducted into the Mariners Hall of Fame during a pregame ceremony. Game time is 6:10pm. The pregame ceremony will start at approximately 5:30pm. The first 20,000 fans through the gates that day will receive a Ken Griffey Jr. Hall of Fame bobblehead, courtesy of ROOT SPORTS.
Tickets for the game, and all remaining games on the Mariners home schedule, may be purchased without a service charge at the Safeco Field Box Office and Seattle Mariners Team Stores (4th & Stewart in downtown Seattle, Bellevue Square, Alderwood Mall and Southcenter Mall). Tickets are also available online at mariners.com, by phone at 206-622-HITS and at Ticketmaster Ticket Centers.