Question 1

True or false: He was the first overall pick in the 1987 MLB Draft by the Seattle Mariners.

Accepted Answer

True. The Mariners selected Griffey Jr. first overall in 1987, making him the first son of a former MLB player taken first overall.

Question 2

True or false: Ken Griffey Jr. once caught a fly ball while doing a backflip in center field.

Accepted Answer

False. This is a myth. He made spectacular catches, but never a backflip catch—urban legend from his highlight reels.

Question 3

True or false: Ken Griffey Jr. was originally drafted as a pitcher before switching to outfield.

Accepted Answer

False. He was scouted as a five-tool outfielder in high school and never pitched professionally; his arm was just exceptional.

Question 4

True or false: Griffey Jr. never won a World Series ring during his entire MLB career.

Accepted Answer

True. Despite Hall of Fame numbers, Griffey never played in a World Series—closest was 1995 ALCS loss to Cleveland.

Question 5

True or false: He wore number 24 for his entire career to honor his father, Ken Griffey Sr.

Accepted Answer

False. Griffey Jr. wore 24 because of Willie Mays. His father wore 30 and 33; Jr. never honored him with a number.

Question 6

True or false: Griffey Jr. hit a record 600 home runs without ever being ejected from a game.

Accepted Answer

False. He was ejected once in 1997 for arguing a called third strike, though it’s rare—he was famously calm.

Question 7

True or false: He was the first player in MLB history to be named All-Star Game MVP twice in the 1990s.

Accepted Answer

True. Griffey won All-Star Game MVP in 1992 and 1997, joining a short list of multi-time winners.

Question 8

True or false: Ken Griffey Jr. once hit a home run off a pitch that was intentionally thrown at his head.

Accepted Answer

True. In 1996, after beaning him, pitcher John Burkett threw inside again; Griffey crushed the next pitch for a homer, then flipped his bat.

Ken Griffey Jr. Trivia Questions