MLB Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. Spotted Working the 2025 Masters as a Credentialed Photographer

The retired baseball star has been spotted taking photos at NFL, MLS, and MLB events in recent years

One Major League Baseball Hall of Famer is looking for a different kind of perfect shot at the 2025 Masters golf tournament.

Fans took notice on Thursday, April 10 when they spotted retired baseball star Ken Griffey Jr. among a group of photographers working at the famed golf tournament, taking in the serene setting at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga.

The PGA Tour later confirmed on social media that Griffey Jr., 55, is working this year’s event as a credentialed member of the media for the first time in his post-MLB career. Griffey Jr. is taking photos of the event for Masters.com, according to Golfweek.

Griffey Jr. was spotted shooting the Honorary Starter ceremony, which included former Masters champions Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson, according to the outlet. The retired baseball star, who slugged 630 home runs with the Seattle Mariners and the Cincinnati Reds during his 22-year career, also signed autographs for fans who recognized him behind the lens.

The 13-time MLB All-Star has been spotted in recent years taking photos at a number of sporting events, PEOPLE previously reported, including NFL and MLS games, as well as the MLB Home Run Derby — a competition he won a record three times throughout his career.

Griffey Jr.’s second-career interest might have come from a former Seattle Mariners teammate, too. PEOPLE reported in 2022 that fellow MLB Hall of Famer Randy Johnson has excelled at his own post-MLB photographer career since retiring in 2010.

Johnson, 61, studied photojournalism at the University of Southern California in the 1980s, he told CBS Saturday Morning last year, explaining how the passion stuck with him throughout his own 22-year MLB career. The retired 6-ft.-10-in. pitcher is now focused on photography full-time, often sharing photos of wildlife, sporting events or live music with work featured in Rolling Stone, Spin, and Metal Hammer magazines. Johnson has also shot covers for live DVD releases for bands like Rush.

Griffey Jr. now looks to be following in his former teammate’s path. Johnson told CBS Saturday Morning last year that Griffey Jr. called him to ask for photography tips, first getting into the art form while taking shots of his kids during their own sporting events.

“He’s called me a few times,” Johnson said. “I think what initially got him involved into photography was that his kids are very athletic and he wanted to capture moments of his kids.”

Griffey Jr. has three children with his wife Melissa: Trey Griffey, 31, Taryn Kennedy, 29, and Tevin Griffey, 22.