MANILA, Philippines - Future baseball Hall of Famer Ken “The Kid” Griffey Jr., one of the best centerfielders Major League Baseball has produced, will be in town March 1-4 to hold a series of baseball clinics in Manila and Cebu as part of the Sports Envoy program of the US State Department.
The 41-year-old Griffey, a 13-time All-Star, 10 straight Golden Glove awardee and former American League MVP, will be accompanied by brother Craig and Joe Logan, who are also former pros who are currently members of the coaching staff of minor league team the Orlando Reds.
The baseball legends will conduct a series of baseball clinics in Manila and Cebu with Filipino coaches and players from different age groups and local leagues. They will also hold a community service as well.
The coaches clinic will focus on the basics of teamwork and sportsmanship, identifying and developing talent, and leading practices and clinics while clinics for players will focus on developing fundamental skills like hitting, infield, pitching and outfield.
Griffey, born on the same date (Nov. 21) and place (Donora, Pennsylvania) with Hall of Famer Stan Musial, retired last year after playing 21 seasons with the Seattle Mariners, Cincinatti Reds, Chicago White Sox and then back to the Mariners having the fifth highest career home runs with 630.
Griffey is in the group of baseball home run luminaries Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755), Babe Ruth (714) and Willie Mays (660).