Ken Griffey Jr. Reveals The All-Stars He Likes To Watch, How He Stays Shut To The Game

Some of the game’s top sluggers will step to the plate Monday night at the Home Run Derby in Philadelphia, but no one in the competition has hit as many home runs as one of the photographers who will be shooting the event. 

Ken Griffey Jr., one of nine Major League Baseball players in the 600-homer club and the only three-time winner of the Home Run Derby, is a man of many talents and interests. The Hall of Famer is a part owner and special consultant for the Seattle Mariners. He has served as a senior advisor to Commissioner Rob Manfred since 2001, focusing on youth baseball development. He’s also a pilot who has logged 700 hours of flight time. 

Most recently, though, you might have seen him at some of sports’ most prestigious events — from the World Series to the Indianapolis 500 to The Masters and more — not as a fan, but as a credentialed photographer. 

Earlier this year, Griffey was a global ambassador for the World Baseball Classic and also shot the international event. This week, he’ll be back behind the camera again. 

Griffey, who is also Deer Park Spring Water’s “CEO of H20,” helped unveil a mural on Saturday by Philadelphia-based artist Paul Carpenter, in partnership with the official water of Major League Baseball. Two days later, he will be photographing the Home Run Derby on Monday night at Citizens Bank Park. 

Before the All-Star week festivities began, I caught up with the 13-time All-Star and Mariners legend on a rainy Saturday in Philadelphia to talk about his photography journey, his thoughts on the state of the game, the players he enjoys watching most and more. 

(Note: Some questions and answers have been edited for brevity and clarity.) 

Sorry the weather in Philadelphia doesn’t seem to be cooperating this weekend. 

Ken Griffey Jr: Well, everybody wants to get involved in water. Even the man upstairs. 

Can you share what you’re doing on Saturday with Deer Park?  

Griffey: Right now, we’re getting ready, hopefully when the weather subsides, to showcase this mural that’s on the side of a building. It represents the All-Star Game and the city of Philadelphia and all the things they have to offer.

Lately, I imagine you’re recognized a lot with a camera in your hand, whether it’s at The Masters or during MLB All-Star week. Can you share how you got into photography and your favorite sport or event you’ve gotten to shoot?

Griffey: I’ve been fortunate enough to do quite a few things, Masters being one. Ryder Cup, Indianapolis 500, All-Star Game, World Series, football games. So, I’m all over the map. I’m just trying to learn as much as possible over the course of my photography career. 

But how I got started was my daughter stopped dribbling a basketball at age 5 and looked at me and asked me if I was paying attention to the game. It’s just because people see me and want to talk. And she was just like, “No, I want my dad to watch me like everybody else’s kid.”

And it became a passion from there?

Griffey: It started out as a way to really focus in on the kids, and all of a sudden one camera turned into two, two turned into four, one lens turned into like 15 and having a studio, pretty much, at my house. My wife asks me if I’m going into business because it looks like we have a camera shop sometimes — hard drives and programs and DVDs on the events that I want to shoot and what settings.

It was a lot in a short time. But I try to do something every couple years to stay out of my comfort zone. I’ve gone from scuba diving to learning how to fly a plane.

How often are you flying planes?

Griffey: I’m right around 700 hours.

With everything you’re doing — a special consultant for the Mariners, an MLB senior advisor and youth ambassador — what does a normal day look like for you? How do you manage your time?

Griffey: The first couple years it was like, “Oh, did I bite off more than I can chew?” But as I got into it, it’s been pretty easy. Couple meetings here and there, flying into certain cities to have the owners meetings and things like that. It’s good. They know my schedule is hectic sometimes, especially July, because it’s All-Star Game, the Hank Aaron Invitational in Vero [Beach] and the Hall of Fame after that.

What will you be capturing this week? 

Griffey: I’m going to do the Home Run Derby. And then, like everyone else, I’ll watch the All-Star Game. There’s so many eyes and ears, and I perceive that I’m a contract man, and there are specific retailers that want their stuff. So, I’ll go away that typically to the massive guys to do their job, however I nonetheless sit shut sufficient the place I can get some suggestions and ask questions. 

I think about you command loads of consideration when you’ve gotten a digital camera down there. 

Griffey: Well, my largest factor is, when you’re not studying, you’re not attempting. So, I attempt to ask sure inquiries to attempt to assist me elevate my pictures abilities. There are plenty of guys on the market that I lean on to get it achieved.

Are you higher than your outdated teammate Randy Johnson? I believe that’s the query everybody actually needs to know. 

Griffey: Nah, Randy began out in highschool. I’m on 20 years, and he’s on 40. But I do lean on Randy fairly a bit, particularly my first journey to Africa. I do know that he’s gone fairly a couple of instances. He despatched me an image of all of the stuff he brings, and the clothes, what I ought to put on. Gave me the guides and stuff like that. So, he’s helped out tremendously all through this complete journey.

To flip it to baseball, with Shohei Ohtani simply now attending to 300 homers, I believe it places into perspective how unbelievable 600 is. Do you assume anybody else will get there?

Griffey: He’s had an unbelievable run. I don’t choose anyone, I simply need baseball to be elevated, and I do know that he’s one of many guys doing it, and it’s enjoyable to observe. There are plenty of guys which are must-see TV once they’re on the plate. When he’s on the mound, it’s must-see. But whenever you have a look at the ‘70s and early ’80s, baseball was the sport. And we have to get again to that.

Do you want the best way the sport is trending? 

Griffey: Yeah, plenty of followers are completely happy. You’re going to get blended feelings with the rule modifications, however each franchise — NBA, NFL — they’ve all made sure modifications to maintain the star gamers on the sphere and preserve it protected. And I believe we’re no totally different than anyone else.

Do you’ve gotten a favourite participant to observe? Obviously, you had been in a position to take action many various issues athletically as a participant, so I’m curious who you are drawn to? 

Griffey: I watch from Freddie [Freeman] to Mookie [Betts] to Shohei to [Mike] Trout, [Bryce] Harper, Vlad Guerrero, Julio Rodríguez, Cal [Raleigh], what he did final 12 months. I imply, there’s plenty of guys doing particular issues. The pitcher from Milwaukee as much as 105 mph. You nonetheless obtained [Aroldis] Chapman throwing 103. 

It’s a very good time and a particular time for baseball. We simply have to preserve the momentum going and produce a number of the youthful era again into the fold.

How to Watch the 2026 MLB All-Star Game

The 2026 MLB All-Star Game is Tuesday, July 14, with first pitch at 8 p.m. ET on FOX, reside from Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Watch the MLB All-Star Game on FOX One for reside and on-demand streaming.