WASHINGTON (AFP) — US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice plans to name major league baseball all-star Ken Griffey Jr as a new public diplomacy envoy, the State Department said Friday.
Griffey will join baseball legend Cal Ripken Jr, US figure-skating superstar Michelle Kwan and actress Fran Drescher as envoys who help polish Washington's image abroad.
The State Department issued a brief statement saying Griffey would be formally named to the role on Tuesday. Rice and Griffey will both speak at the ceremony at the State Department.
Griffey, a 38-year-old outfielder, had his option declined for 2009 by his Major League Baseball club the Chicago White Sox on October 30, making him a free agent.
Griffey ranks fifth on the all-time major league home run list with 611.
The 13-time All Star who won 1997 American League Most Valuable Player honors ranks 10th in major league history with 1,152 extra-base hits, 18th with 1,772 runs batted in and 30th with 1,613 runs scored.
Baseball has a following in many countries around the world, including Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Taiwan, China, Australia, Canada, Italy, Netherlands, Panama, South Africa, Mexico, Cuba and Venezuela.
Copyright © 2009 AFP. All rights reserved. More »
