He was still just a minor leaguer when he posed for cameras some time in 1988, a top overall draft pick with a great pedigree and an even better swing. One of those photos of Ken Griffey Jr. wound up on a Donruss baseball card. Now, a similar image is on the market for the first time.
The 8×10 photo of the future Hall of Famer posing in his Seattle Mariners batting practice jersey is among the featured items in the new RMY Auctions catalog. It’s one of several hundred sports, news and entertainment photos dating back decades that are up for grabs in the company’s July sale.
While the photo isn’t identical to the Donruss card that collectors would chase as Griffey was earning his way onto the big league roster during spring training 1989, it could be from the same moment in time. Griffey is wearing the same gear that can be seen on the purple-bordered card (#33 in the set), right down to his Franklin batting gloves—one blue and one white—and his blue undershirt.
A vintage Kodak stamp on the back dates it to that same late 1980s time frame.
The photo was likely taken after Griffey’s first full season in the minor leagues. He would make his major league debut on April 3, 1989 with a double off Dave Stewart in his first at-bat. He would homer in his first at -bat in the Kingdome a week later.
The auction runs through Saturday, July 17 at RMYAuctions.com.
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