Ken Griffey Jr. Seattle #24 Slate Blue Thermal

King of the moment. King of the Kingdome. King of Swing.

In 1989, Ken Griffey Jr. arrived to baseball straight from the playgrounds, wearing the #24, a backwards hat, and a smile. Everyone kept their eyes on the “The Kid,” as the spotlight of the national pastime found Seattle.

A lot had to do with that swing. You remember the swing. It was a thing of effortless grace. Of magic in real time. Of history changing. Or you remember the arm. The presence. The feeling of things happening.

By the end, the numbers said it all. A decade of gold gloves. Thirteen All Star appearances. Three home run crowns, and 630 total home runs over the course of a legendary career.

King of thump. King of kings. King of the playground, which was every ballpark Junior set foot on.

Officially licensed by Ken Griffey Jr.