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Griffey's journey began in the small town of Donora, Pennsylvania, where he was born into a blue-collar family. His father, Ken Griffey Sr., was a talented baseball player who instilled in his son the values of hard work and perseverance. Growing up in a family that emphasized togetherness amid struggles, Junior often joined his father at the ballpark, absorbing every moment spent in the shadow of the Big Red Machine, the Cincinnati Reds.
It was there that young Junior first fell in love with baseball—not for its fame or riches but for the sheer enjoyment of the game. His formative experiences, which included shagging balls at practice and learning the mechanics of batting tape from his father, laid the groundwork for his illustrious career ahead.