Ken Griffey Jr. Swaps Bats for a Camera at the 2025 Masters

When fans attend the Masters, they're used to seeing golfing legends and famous faces on the course. But one of the greatest baseball players of all time behind the lens? That’s a bit more unexpected.

MLB Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. is on-site at the 2025 Masters—not as a guest, but as a credentialed photographer. According to Golfweek, Griffey is officially working the event with a camera in hand, continuing a post-baseball passion that’s become more than just a hobby.

Griffey, who retired after the 2010 MLB season, has embraced photography as a second career. On Thursday, he was spotted snapping pictures during the Masters’ honorary starter ceremony, which featured golf legends Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Tom Watson. True to form, Griffey even paused to sign an autograph for a young fan nearby.

Photography has taken Griffey to numerous high-profile events. He’s been behind the camera at NFL games, the MLB Home Run Derby, Inter Miami soccer matches, and even out in the wild photographing nature. It's clear this isn’t just a side gig—Griffey takes his craft seriously.

Of course, his reputation was first built with a bat. Over a 22-season MLB career, Griffey crushed 630 home runs, earned 13 All-Star nods, and won the 1997 MVP award. Known as “The Kid,” he became a fan favorite for his effortless swing, backward cap, and sheer charisma. Though injuries impacted his later years—especially after a trade to the Reds—he still managed more All-Star appearances and finished his career where it began, in Seattle.

Griffey was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016 on his first ballot, falling just shy of a unanimous vote.

Even now, his cool factor hasn’t faded. But at the Masters, for maybe the first time ever, Griffey isn’t the guy you ask for swing tips. At least, not golf ones.