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Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Sports / Politics Ken Griffey Jr. Goes to Bat for the US Government

Posted by Jonah Spangenthal-Lee on Wed, Nov 19, 2008 at 12:30 PM

He has thrilled sports fans for over twenty years with his hitting and fielding exploits. But can Major League baseball star Ken Griffey, Jr. hit a grand slam for the State Department?

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice named Griffey a public diplomacy envoy Tuesday, tasking the All-Star slugger with spreading “the values of the United States” in large part by helping to spark “interest in America and in our culture.”

“Public diplomacy must be a dialogue,” Rice said after meeting with Griffey in Washington. “This dialogue must extend to every citizen in every country, especially to young people.”

She noted that Griffey is uniquely qualified to engage young people given his stature as one of the best-known players in what is arguably the country’s most famous sport.

Former baseball star Cal Ripken Jr., figure-skater Michelle Kwan and actress Fran Drescher have also chosen to become public diplomacy envoys in recent years.

Griffey’s first trip as a diplomatic envoy will be to Panama in January.

Does this mean Junior's not coming back to the Mariners?

Comments (13) RSS

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Fran Drescher? Really?

Posted by Matthew on November 19, 2008 at 12:35 PM

Mariner fans who think Griffey should come back here should be denied entrance to the stadium.

Posted by Fnarf on November 19, 2008 at 12:36 PM

I highly encourage sending Major League players to Panama (and the rest of Central America). Hell, let's load 'em up with bats, balls, gloves, and other equipment to give away to kids there. The US majors and minors will be swimming in hot new talent from Panama 15 years from now.

Posted by Greg on November 19, 2008 at 12:39 PM

@1

She is an envoy for a woman's health campaign based on her experience as the head of her own cancer prevention organization.

Posted by boxofbirds on November 19, 2008 at 12:40 PM

@4: Ah! Okay. That works for me.

Posted by Matthew on November 19, 2008 at 12:41 PM

Since it's the Bush administration, I'm kind of surprised they didn't recruit Xavier McDaniel to be their goodwill envoy to the world.

http://verbungle.com/littleday_11_14_05.…

Posted by Jessica on November 19, 2008 at 12:52 PM

Is Griffey even willing to speak to another human being?

Posted by maxsolomon on November 19, 2008 at 12:56 PM

That Ripken... He's so dreamy with those shiny baby blues. And that Fran Drescher is one fine fiftyish piece o' woman. Throw those two in with Griff and the lovely Miss Kwan and you have the perfect battle royal... FOR DIPLOMACY!!!

Posted by P to the J on November 19, 2008 at 1:44 PM

Is Griffey some kind of footy player?

And, if not, why would the rest of the world care?

Posted by Will in Seattle on November 19, 2008 at 1:53 PM

I continue to be amazed by your stupidity, Will. Panama, like much of Central America and the Caribbean, is baseball-mad, and they've been playing it there longer than they've been playing soccer (football, not "footy", fuckhead, that's Australian Rules) at a high level. It's a much bigger deal than soccer there. Ever heard of Rod Carew? No, of course you haven't. Mariano Rivera?

Posted by Fnarf on November 19, 2008 at 2:23 PM

oh, seriously, Fnarf, next thing you know, you'll go all conspiracy theory on us and claiming that Fidel Castro was a baseball player and that's why we invaded the Bay of Pigs ...

Posted by Will in Seattle on November 19, 2008 at 3:18 PM

Will, please.

Posted by Lloyd Clydesdale on November 19, 2008 at 3:40 PM