MLB Great Ken Griffey Jr.’s New York Yankees Grudge Resurfaces as He Tops the Field at Derek Jeter’s Star-Studded Golf Journey

With 27 World Championships, the New York Yankees are undoubtedly the most sought-after MLB team. Whether it’s with fans or players, everyone wants to don the Pinstripes at least once. Actually, almost everyone. Ken Griffey Jr. thought otherwise, and this moment went viral only after the former outfielder made a victorious appearance at an Invitational hosted by Derek Jeter, who captained the New York Yankees for an entire decade before his retirement in 2014.

While almost every baseball player wants to don the Pinstripes, Ken Griffey Jr. was an exception

In an old video, the Seattle Mariners legend is visible handing out autographs to a few New York Yankees fans, before hearing the statement “Come play for the Yankees, bro.” Griffey Jr. without any hesitation or even a mere pause, declined the offer and responded with a simple “no.”

However, that wasn’t it. Junior, also known as the Kid, continued to add, “If the Yankees were the last team, if they were the only team that gave me a contract, I’d retire. You don’t believe me? You don’t know me.”

Read More: “Thank God Only One of Them Is a Hall of Famer”- Rare Photo of Barry Bonds and Ken Griffey Jr. Sparks Wild Reactions in the MLB World

While Junior cited his father Ken Griffey Sr. as the reason behind his dislike for the Yankees, Ken Griffey Sr. actually donned the Pinstripes for four whole seasons from 1982 to 1986.

When did ‘Junior’ enter the MLB Hall of Fame?

Ken Griffey Jr. made his MLB debut with the Seattle Mariners in 1989, playing with them for ten years, before playing with the Cincinnati Reds for another eight years, the White Sox in 2008, and finally retiring with the Mariners in 2010. During his 21-season-long career, Junior made 13 All-Star appearances, won the AL MVP in 1997, and retired with ten Golden Gloves. He entered the Mariners and Reds Hall of Fame, before being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016, with a 99.3% majority.

Would you have ever wanted to watch Ken Griffey Jr. play in Pinstripes? It would’ve been another Pinstripes reaching Cooperstown, but at what cost…

What do you think? Let us know in the comments below!

Watch this story: From Alex Rodriguez to Barry Bonds: 5 top players who aren’t a part of the MLB Hall of Fame