At just 19 years of age, Ken Griffey, Jr. - whose father was a key cog in Cincinnati's "Big Red Machine" dynasty - played his first Major League season, patrolling center field for the Seattle Mariners. His 16 homers and 61 RBI made for a solid showing, placing 3rd in Rookie of the Year balloting, but keen observers knew he was a phenom in the making. This road gray Mariners jersey was worn by the Hall of Famer when it all began, in 1989. Button-front top has Rawlings size 44 and Set 1 1989 tagging inside the left front tail; this is significant in that that would make this the first MLB road jersey worn by Junior. Blue piping extends behind the collar and down either side of the buttons, MARINERS is across the chest in individual blue-on-yellow-and-blue 3-D style lettering with number 24 below left, GRIFFEY is on a plate in all blue letters above the number 24 in all blue. Jersey shows nice use with a few stray black marks near the front number, but remains in EX-NM condition overall. Griff hit his first career homer in his first swing at Seattle's Kingdome on April 10, 1989, amassing 630 homers during his 22 Major League seasons. That currently ranks him 7th all time behind Willie Mays - the man who Griffey, Jr. idolized in selecting the same uniform number 24. Exceptional and significant piece from one of baseball's all-time greats.