Ken Griffey Jr grabs attention as Masters 2026 builds hype around baseball legend’s bold photography career shift

The 2026 Masters Tournament is already building strong buzz, and one of the biggest names involved is not even playing golf. Ken Griffey Jr., one of baseball’s most famous stars, is now in focus for his work behind the camera. The Masters, along with Front Office Sports, has announced a special feature called “Photographer No. 24,” which will highlight his journey as a photographer. The feature is set to release on April 5 on NBC, just before the tournament begins.This story has caught attention because Griffey Jr. is not just making a casual appearance. He is seriously working on his second career. Last year, he was present at Augusta National as a credentialed photographer and even captured moments from Rory McIlroy’s 2025 Masters win. Now, those efforts are being turned into a full feature as part of the tournament’s buildup.Ken Griffey Jr. is used to being part of big moments. Back in 1990, he made history with his father, Ken Griffey Sr., when they played together for the Seattle Mariners. It was the first time a father and son played in Major League Baseball at the same time. Now, years later, he is still around big stages, but in a very different role.This time, he is not creating the moment with a bat. He is capturing it through a lens. According to Front Office Sports on X, “The Masters has released a trailer for its feature on Ken Griffey Jr., who shot Rory McIlroy’s win at Augusta last year as a credentialed photographer. ‘Photographer No. 24’ will premiere April 5 on NBC.”Griffey Jr. understands that his name can open doors, but he also knows that staying there depends on his work.“I get some doors open because of who I am. But I take what I do very seriously,” he said.That mindset shows in how he approaches photography. His pictures are judged the same way as others. They are not selected just because of his name. They have to meet the same quality standards.This shift is not easy. Moving from baseball to photography means starting again and learning new skills. Griffey Jr. has faced criticism at times, but he has stayed focused on improving.He is not the only athlete to take this path. Former MLB pitcher Randy Johnson also moved into photography after retirement and built a strong name in that field. Others, like Dwayne Johnson and George Foreman, found success in completely different careers after sports.Still, Griffey Jr.’s story feels different because it is happening on such a big stage. The Masters is not just promoting a tournament. It is telling a story about change and growth. By putting Griffey Jr. at the center, it is bringing together fans from baseball and golf.As the April 6 to 12 tournament gets closer, this feature is adding another layer of excitement. Griffey Jr. is no longer just a legend of the game. He is now someone trying to build something new, one photo at a time.