Ken Griffey Jr. and Harold Reynolds became legends during their time with the Seattle Mariners and now both will play a huge role as hosts during All-Star Weekend this year in Seattle.

For the first time since 2001 and third overall, the city of Seattle will host Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game.

 

Griffey-Backed Swingman Classic Becoming Gateway For HBCUs

 

This year’s All-Star Game has a chance to be one of the most exciting and memorable in recent memory. With the new rules coming from last season’s CBA, more people are watching MLB than ever before.

Fans both new and old are enjoying the faster pace of play and increased action that MLB games have delivered over the first three months of the season. With the best collection of talent being in the same area, All-Star Week will be a showcase of all the great things the sport offers.

 

HBCU Swingman Classic Gives Black College Players A Showcase In Seattle | Celebrating Old & New Legends Of Black Baseball

 

First will be the Inaugural Swingman Classic on Friday, July 7th.  The extravaganza featured a matchup between 50 of the best HBCU talents across the country. This collaboration — executed by MLBbro’s biggest ambassador, Ken Griffey Jr. and the MLB Players Association Youth Development Program — was created to give these players and schools a chance to gain exposure.

 

“These kids at HBCU schools do not have the data, exit velocity or spins rates to give to teams,” Reynolds told reporters.

 

“The Power 5 schools have all of the information.  You have got to give these kids the same opportunity.  I do not care if you are Andre Dawson or Rickie Weeks, if you do not have the information they are looking for you are not going to get picked.”

 

Harold Reynolds Will Call The Game With Dave Sims, Then Manage  

 

Reynolds will be on the broadcast crew calling the game for MLB Network Friday night.

 

Saturday, Reynolds will get to manage for the first time in his life when he coaches the American League team in the Sirius XM All-Star Futures Game Saturday.  He will be joined by a staff of former Major Leaguers including past Mariners stars Mike Cameron and Alvin Davis.

 

 

That is just the beginning of a long stretch of appearances for Reynolds.

He will help host the 2024 MLB Draft Sunday, be on the pregame show for the Home Run Derby Monday, host the pregame Red Carpet show before the All-Star Game Tuesday and then break down the actual game when it comes to a conclusion.

This weekend will also serve as a chance to honor the generational talent that is Ken Griffey Jr. an idol to most all players. The Swingman and backwards hat are staples for baseball fans around the globe.

Griffey made the All-Star team 13 times in his career while adding 10 Gold Gloves and seven Silver Sluggers during his time in a Mariners uniform.

Reynolds, who is one of the few that got to play on the same team with both Ken Sr. and Jr. was no slouch in his own right. He won three Gold Gloves and made the All-Star team in 1987 and 1988 for the Mariners He added 250 stolen bases in his career and finished with a batting average of .258.

 

 

So Black Baseball will be represented well in Seattle, by two MLBbros who have devoted their lives to promoting, improving and cultivating the game of baseball.

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