Not only was Ken Griffey Jr. an elite hitter and an exceptional outfielder over a 22-year stretch in the MLB, he was also a fashion icon. Kids (and some adults) around the globe wanted to be just like the superstar.
One of Ken Griffey Jr.’s memorable looks was the backwards hat. The 13-time All-Star was spotted on numerous occasions with a unique look that quickly caught on amongst fans and players.
A recent ESPN post on Instagram revealed the reason he wore the backwards hat and it surrounds his relationship with his father:
“It wasn’t like I was trying to make a fashion statement, trying to be different. I just wanted to wear my dad’s hat.
Griffey is regarded as one of the greatest MLB players of all-time. His ability to excel in all aspects of the game make him a complete player. He could hit, hit with power, run, throw and field. What many people forget is that he was trained by one of the game’s best.
Ken Griffey Sr. was a star in his own right. He had a successful MLB career with four different MLB teams and competed in a total of 2097 games over 19 years. From a young age, Griffey Jr. idolized his father and followed him around baseball stadiums around the country. When he would wear his dad’s hat over his face it would fall in front of his face forcing him to turn it backwards.
In one of the great moments in modern day baseball, father and son Ken Griffey Jr. once his back-to-back home runs in the same game for the Seattle Mariners back in 1990. It was an iconic moment that is yet to be replicated till today.
