Griffey Jr. named MLB senior adviser

Hall of Fame member Ken Griffey Jr. will serve as a senior adviser to Major League Baseball commissioner rob Manfred with an emphasis on baseball operations, youth baseball development and improving diversity.

MLB also said Griffey will work as an MLB ambassador for youth baseball initiatives and at special events, including the All-star Game.

“We are thrilled that Ken will represent Major League Baseball on some of our sport’s most important stages, alongside our current and future stars,” Manfred said in a news release. “We welcome the perspective and insights that Ken gained as an historic player, as a parent, and as someone who has spent his life in and around our great game.”

Griffey, 51, spent 22 seasons with the Seattle Mariners (1989-99, 2009-10), Cincinnati reds (2000-08) and Chicago White Sox (2008). He was a 13-time all-star, American League MVP and 10-time Gold Glove winner.

He was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016, receiving votes on 99.3 per cent of ballots in his first year of eligibility.

“I am humbled to be asked to work with Major League Baseball in this role,” Griffey said. “It will be an honour to represent the best sport in the world and to promote our game among today’s youth.”

Griffey retired with 630 career home runs and is seventh on the all-time list. He is 16th in MLB history with 1,836 rbis.

Since 2016, Griffey has served as a youth ambassador for MLB and the MLB Players Association on their joint baseball development initiatives.

Outfielder Joc Pederson agreed to a one-year, us$7-million deal with the Chicago Cubs, according to multiple reports. The contract is pending a physical.

Pederson, 28, became a platoon player with the Los Angeles dodgers due to his struggles against left-handed pitching. Pederson has an average of .191 and has only nine career home runs against southpaws. Against right-handers, his average is .238 with 121 homers.

Adding Pederson helps the Cubs replace the power stroke of Kyle Schwarber, who joined the Washington Nationals. Pederson also talked to the Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals, according to reports.

In 748 career games, all with the dodgers, Pederson has a .230 batting average.