Ken Griffey, Sr.
Name: Ken Griffey, Sr.
Date of Birth: April 10, 1950
Hometown: Donora, Pa.
Resides: Orlando, Fla.
George Kenneth Griffey, born April 10, 1950 in Donora, Pa., is a former Major League Baseball star and father of current Seattle Mariners outfielder Ken Griffey, Jr.
Griffey spent five years after high school in the minor leagues, perfecting his knowledge of baseball. In 1973, the then 23-year-old made his MLB debut with the Cincinnati Reds on August 25. During his first stint with the Reds, Griffey and his teammates won two World Series (1975, 1976), and he was selected three times to play in the MLB All-Star game (1976, 1977, 1980). His last MLB All-Star appearance in 1980 was his most notable, as he was selected as the game's MVP.
Following the 1981 season, Griffey joined the New York Yankees for four full seasons before he was sent to the Atlanta Braves mid-season 1986. He spent one season with the Braves before heading back to the Cincinnati Reds. Although Griffey was released from the Reds' 1990 World Series Championship team, he still earned a ring. Griffey concluded his astounding 19-year career with the Seattle Mariners in 1991. At the end of his baseball career, Griffey amassed 151 home runs and a .296 batting average. He and his son Ken Griffey, Jr., became the first father-son teammate combination when both donned Mariners uniforms on the playing field in 1990.
As an African-American, Griffey had a one-in-four chance of being diagnosed with prostate cancer, just like his four uncles who suffered and eventually died from the disease. Griffey was diagnosed with prostate cancer in August 2006, only one day after his wife Birdie learned she had colon cancer.
In 2007, Griffey started the Ken Griffey Sr. Foundation, which brings awareness to prostate cancer and helps at-risk youth in Orlando. He also serves as a board member and spokesperson for ZERO – The Project to End Prostate Cancer.
Now healthy and cancer-free, Griffey has made a comeback to the game he knows best as the new hitting instructor for the Reds Class A affiliate Dayton Dragons baseball club. During the off-season Griffey spends his time with his wife in their home outside of Orlando, Fla.
Ken Griffey, Sr.'s Story
Griffey uses baseball platform to promote prostate cancer awareness among players, fans
As an African-American, Ken Griffey, Sr. recognized he was more at risk to get prostate cancer than other men. Even after he had surgery for the disease, though, Griffey was unaware of the odds that were stacked against him.
The former All-Star outfielder and World Series champion had four uncles die from prostate cancer, making it a near certainty he could develop it. Wisely, he always was proactive about his health, and still is today.
"When I first started getting tested, all of us as athletes got physicals every year," Griffey said. "I didn't understand the ramifications of it. I just found out recently my uncles had passed from it; my aunts and cousins wouldn't talk about it, so I had no idea."
"I can't emphasize enough the importance of looking after yourself, getting tested and getting tested regularly."
Griffey was diagnosed with prostate cancer in August 2006, one day after his ex-wife Birdie learned she had colon cancer. Griffey didn't hesitate in getting surgery, and he didn't hesitate when asked to join the board of ZERO – The Project to End Prostate Cancer.
Griffey knows he has a forum because of his name: star player; father of a likely Hall of Famer, Ken Griffey, Jr.; founder of the Ken Griffey Sr. Foundation, which helps at-risk youth; and commissioner of the Florida Winter Baseball League. His visibility has made Griffey an ideal choice to lead the fight for prostate cancer awareness.
"Right now, the (baseball) organizations are really behind certain cancer programs and one of them is prostate cancer awareness," he said. "One day each season, guys will swing colored bats or wear special uniforms to help promote cancer awareness. Major League Baseball and the MLBPA are definitely behind it."
Griffey, who is now cancer-free, spends most of his time these days coaching younger players, and he realizes they aren't always tuned in to health concerns, aside from injuries that hamper their on-field performance.
"At that young age, they are just ready to play ball," he said, "but we’re trying to educate them on all scenarios, including prostate cancer. And they all will have physicals."
- Question 1: Other than Gordie Howe, who had to come out of retirement to do it, you might be the best-known athlete to have played with his son. What was that like?
It is right at the top, period. I'd say second would be the first World Series we won with the Reds in 1975 against Boston.
I really didn't expect Junior to get to the big leagues as quick as he did, at 19, and I didn't think I would be in the league for 19 years myself. It really was a total surprise all around and very enjoyable.
I didn't see much of him when he came up, how he was developing, because I was playing a lot. For six years, he didn't get to hit with me watching him. Even when he was drafted No. 1, I didn't believe he was the No. 1 player in the nation, but when I got the opportunity to watch him, I said, "Yeah, he's the No. 1 player."
- Question 2: You urged both of your sons to get tested. Did they?
Kenny has been tested. Craig has been tested. I stay on them and they talk to me every once in a while about it.
Junior is a little older than Craig—he's 40—and Craig is 39. We talked about how it was best to get their PSAs tested. They are very aware of their health.
We talk, mostly casually, and get it done that way.
- Question 3: Many men, including African-American men, don't like going to the doctor. How do you use your platform to help men understand the importance of seeing a doctor?
All men are macho, they don't want to hear about it, don't want to go through anything like testing or visiting the doctor. They don't like to go to a doctor and find out what's wrong.
Prostate cancer is a situation where you don't know what is wrong, there really are no symptoms, so you've got to get your PSAs tested. You have to go get checked.
Most men will not talk about it. I recently met six or seven guys who had the surgery and wouldn't talk about it. So the best thing for me to do is try to get the word out, and the best way to fight prostate cancer is early detection.
When I go out with ZERO and Depend®, I answer questions on what I went through and the product itself and what a great program this is.
- Question 4: Why did you decide to work with Depend® and ZERO on "The Depend® Campaign to End Prostate Cancer"?
I am a cancer survivor and it is important to me that men, especially African-American men, get early screenings. It's important because the percentages dictate that one in four African-Americans will get prostate cancer during their lifetime. I lost four uncles to prostate cancer, and I try to do my part and help people get tested and hopefully find a cure for it.
The biggest thing is making talking about prostate cancer more casual conversation than anything. There is no pressure. When people ask me about the symptoms and all that kind of stuff, or what I had to do in terms of diagnosis, I explain to them that I just got the screenings, had the PSAs done and found it was high—and we decided on the best course for treatment.
Ask a Legend—Jim Kelly
