'It's been awesome ... wild', Griffey says of Hall of Fame selection; M's retiring his number 24





SEATTLE -- The Seattle Mariners announced Friday that the team will officially retire Ken Griffey Jr.'s number, 24, and that Griffey will throw out the first pitch of the Mariners 2016 season home opener April 8.

The number retirement will be the highlight of Ken Griffey Jr. Weekend in Seattle from Aug. 5-7, just two weeks after his Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Cooperstown, N.Y. , Seattle Mariners President & CEO Kevin Mather said.

Beginning on Opening Day in April, no player in the Mariners organization will ever wear number 24 again. This marks the first number of a Mariners player ever retired by the franchise, and will join Jackie Robinson’s number 42 as the only two numbers retired by the Mariners.

“Ken Griffey Jr. was the first player selected in the 1987 Draft, a first ballot Hall of Famer, the first player in Hall of Fame history to amass over 99% of the vote and the first player to wear a Mariners Cap on his Hall of Fame plaque,” Mather said. “It seems only fitting that he be the first Mariners player to have his number retired.”

Other Ken Griffey Jr. Weekend highlights include:

Friday, August 5, 7:10 pm vs. the Los Angeles Angels –

Ken Griffey Jr. Hall of Fame Bobblehead Night (first 20,000 fans will receive this special bobblehead)

 

Saturday, August 6, 6:10 pm vs. the Los Angeles –

Ken Griffey Jr. Number Retirement Ceremony (pregame) and

Replica Hall of Fame Plaque (first 20,000 fans will receive a replica plaque)

 

Sunday, August 7, 1:10 pm vs. the Los Angeles –

Ken Griffey Jr. Replica Jersey Day (first 20,000 fans will receive a replica jersey)