Ken Griffey Jr. didn't just play baseball; he owned the frame. Honestly, if you grew up in the 90s, your bedroom wall probably had at least one or two Ken Griffey Jr photos pinned up. Maybe it was the one where he’s flashing that grin with the hat on backwards, or the "Spider-Man" catch where he’s practically walking up the Kingdome wall. He was the rare athlete who looked as cool in a still image as he did in motion.
But there is a weird shift happening now. In 2026, the man famously known for being in front of the lens is spends his time hiding behind one. He isn't just a former player posing for nostalgia; he's a credentialed sports photographer. You’ll see him on the sidelines of NFL games or at the Masters, lugging around massive Sony telephoto lenses. It’s a wild second act for a guy whose image defined a whole generation of baseball fans.
The Secret History of the 1989 Upper Deck Rookie Card
Let's talk about the most famous piece of Griffey media ever created: the 1989 Upper Deck Star Rookie card. It’s basically the Mona Lisa of the junk wax era. Most people assume it’s a standard shot from his early days in Seattle, but that is a total myth.
The photo was actually taken when Griffey was playing for the San Bernardino Spirit, a minor league team. If you look closely at the "Mariners" jersey he’s wearing, you’ll notice something is off. The Seattle Mariners jerseys at the time had a distinct blue stripe down the center of the shirt. Junior’s doesn’t. Why? Because it was Photoshopped—well, the 1989 equivalent of it. They airbrushed the Mariners colors and logo over his minor league uniform.
👉 See also: What Really Happened With Nick Chubb: The Injury, The Recovery, and The Houston Twist
Even the hat is a lie. It was a San Bernardino hat that got a digital facelift to look like a Seattle "S." If you zoom in on high-res Ken Griffey Jr photos of that specific card, you can sometimes see the faint red trim from the original minor league cap peeking through the yellow and blue. It’s hilarious to think that the most iconic rookie card in history is technically a fake.
Why the Backwards Hat Wasn't Actually a Fashion Choice
Everyone copied it. You, me, your neighbor. We all turned our hats around because Junior made it look like the coolest thing on the planet. But he didn't do it to be a rebel. He did it because he had what he calls a "peanut head."
As a kid, Junior wanted to wear his dad’s hats. Ken Griffey Sr. was a legend in his own right, but he also had a massive 'fro. His hats were usually a size 7 1/2 or larger. Junior was a tiny kid with a 6 1/4 head. If he wore the hat forward, the bill would slide down and cover his eyes. He literally couldn't see.
✨ Don't miss: Men's Sophie Cunningham Jersey: Why This Specific Kit is Selling Out Everywhere
So, he flipped it. It stayed on better that way. By the time he hit the Big Leagues, it was just muscle memory. He wasn't trying to annoy the "unwritten rules" crowd, though he definitely did (looking at you, Buck Showalter). He was just a kid who wanted to wear his dad's gear.
The Transition to Professional Photography
It started at his kids' games. Griffey realized that if he walked into a stadium as "The Kid," he got mobbed. If he walked in with a giant 400mm lens covering his face, people just saw another "photog." It was a camouflage.
But he got hooked on the technical side. He’s since traded his Louisville Slugger for a Sony Alpha 1. He doesn't just show up and snap selfies; he’s out there worrying about ISO, shutter speeds, and f-stops. At the 2025 Masters, he captured a viral shot of Rory McIlroy that many professional editors called the "photo of the tournament."
🔗 Read more: Why Netball Girls Sri Lanka Are Quietly Dominating Asian Sports
He’s talked about the learning curve being steep. He once joked that he felt like a rookie all over again, trying to stay out of the way of the "pros" in the photo pit. But the same instincts that let him read a fly ball off the bat now help him anticipate a quarterback's release or a golfer's reaction.
Iconic Moments You Can Still Buy (and Which Ones Matter)
If you are looking to collect authentic Ken Griffey Jr photos, there is a massive market for "Type 1" original prints. These are photos developed from the original negative within two years of the picture being taken.
- The Spider-Man Catch (1990): This is the definitive defensive photo. He’s horizontal against the wall, stealing a home run from Jesse Barfield. Original press photos of this moment are highly coveted.
- The Dogpile (1995): The image of Griffey at the bottom of the pile after scoring the winning run in the ALDS against the Yankees. It’s the "joy" photo.
- The Back-to-Back Home Run: Photos of Junior and Senior together in 1990. These are the "family" photos that transcend sports.
How to Spot a Quality Griffey Print
Don't just buy a random glossy 8x10 off eBay and expect it to hold value. If you’re serious about the hobby, you need to look for specific markers of authenticity.
- Check for News Service Stamps: Real vintage press photos will have "Associated Press" or "United Press International" stamped on the back.
- Look for "Type 1" Certification: Companies like PSA or PSA/DNA authenticate photos. A certified Type 1 photo of Griffey can sell for thousands, while a modern reprint is worth about five bucks.
- The Signature: Griffey has a very clean, consistent signature. If you’re looking at autographed Ken Griffey Jr photos, ensure they have a hologram from Upper Deck Authenticated (UDA) or Tristar. He’s had an exclusive deal with Upper Deck for decades, so their stuff is the gold standard.
Ken Griffey Jr. remains the bridge between the old-school grit of baseball and the modern era of "swagger." Whether he's the one in the picture or the one taking it, he has a way of making the game look better than it actually is.
If you are looking to start a collection, start with the 1989 Upper Deck rookie—even if it is airbrushed. It’s the piece of history that started everything. From there, look for the 1990 "wall climb" shots. They capture the era of the Kingdome perfectly. Stick to authenticated items from UDA to ensure your investment doesn't tank. Most importantly, keep an eye on the sidelines of the next big sporting event. You might just see the greatest center fielder of all time crouching in the dirt, waiting for the perfect shot.