BREAKING NEWS: Cincinnati reds Major League Baseball MLB Community Reacts in Shock as Former Reds Legend Ken Griffey Jr. who is currently working as credentialed photographer Has return to his former team as the senior coaching….. view more

In a stunning move that has the baseball world buzzing, the Cincinnati Reds announced today that Hall of Famer and former Reds superstar Ken Griffey Jr. is returning to the organization — this time, not as a player, but as the team’s new Senior Coaching Advisor.

Griffey, 55, who has recently been seen working around MLB parks as a credentialed photographer, will now join the Reds’ coaching staff in a senior advisory role, focusing on player development, hitting mechanics, and mentorship for the team’s rising stars.

The Reds confirmed the news early Saturday morning in a press release that sent shockwaves through both the clubhouse and social media.

“Ken Griffey Jr. represents everything we want our players to aspire to — professionalism, passion, and pure love for the game,” said Reds general manager Nick Krall. “Having him back in Cincinnati, mentoring the next generation, is a full-circle moment for this organization.”

A Full-Circle Moment

Griffey played for the Reds from 2000 to 2008, hitting 210 home runs with the club and serving as one of the city’s most beloved sports figures. His return comes nearly 17 years after his final game in a Reds uniform — and just weeks after he was spotted photographing games from the dugout as part of MLB’s media team.

Fans flooded social media with emotional reactions:

“The Kid is back in Cincinnati! This is the best news since Opening Day,” wrote one fan on X (formerly Twitter).

“If Griffey is mentoring our outfielders, I expect fireworks,” another posted.

What’s Next

Griffey is expected to join the team immediately for offseason training sessions and could appear in the dugout during Spring Training 2026. According to team sources, his duties will include working with the hitting coaches, advising on player evaluations, and promoting the Reds’ youth programs.

While the Reds declined to disclose the exact terms of Griffey’s deal, insiders say the role is “long-term and deeply collaborative.”

As the baseball world reacts, one thing is clear — Cincinnati is ready to welcome home one of its greatest heroes.