Best known as the father of the Hall of Fame outfielder who bears the same name, Ken Griffey was a fine ball player in his own right. In the collection is this questionnaire filled out entirely by a 19-year old Griffey Sr. just three months after his high school graduation in 1969, a full four years before his big league debut.
Griffey lists his birthplace as Donora, Pennsylvania, the same small town that produced Stan Musial and lays claim as the hometown of the younger Griffey as well. Senior also lists his race as, “Negro” and notes that he earned high school letters in football, basketball, baseball, and track.
Though he wouldn’t debut in the bigs until nearly four years to the day after filling out the questionnaire, Griffey was in the midst of his first season as a professional. This piece provides a glance into the early career of the three-time All Star and two-time World Series champion.
As a footnote, notice the date of the document, August 29, 1969. That means his wife was 6 months pregnant with his namesake son who went on to a Hall of Fame career.
I don’t know if there is better . . . they were definitely first!