Ken Griffey Jr. Masters Photographer Documentary NBC

On April 5, 2026, baseball legend Ken Griffey Jr. trades his bat for a camera lens — at least on television. The documentary Photographer No. 24: Ken Griffey Jr. at the Masters premieres tonight on NBC before streaming on Peacock, shining a spotlight on one of the most unexpected second acts in sports history. The Kid, as he was known throughout his Hall of Fame career, spent the 2025 Masters Tournament not in the stands as a spectator, but on the course as a credentialed photojournalist — capturing one of golf's most historic moments through the viewfinder of a Sony Alpha 1.

For fans and sports enthusiasts searching to understand what Griffey has been up to since his retirement, the answer is as surprising as it is compelling. Yahoo Sports details how Griffey has reinvented himself in multiple roles — from team owner to Hall of Fame board member to, now, sports photographer. Tonight's documentary is the latest chapter in a post-playing career that proves Griffey's love of sports runs far deeper than any single arena.

The Documentary: What to Expect From 'Photographer No. 24'

The film follows Griffey's experience working as a credentialed photographer at the 2025 Masters Tournament at Augusta National. Armed with a Sony Alpha 1 mirrorless camera — a professional-grade body favored by elite sports photographers — Griffey embedded himself among the working press to document one of golf's grandest stages.

The timing could not have been more fortuitous. Griffey was on the 18th green to photograph Rory McIlroy's winning putt, the shot that ended an 11-year major drought for the Northern Irishman and made him only the sixth golfer in history to complete the career Grand Slam. The New York Times published a feature on April 4, 2026 exploring what Griffey found in the lens at Augusta — and by all accounts, what he found was a new passion.

The documentary premieres on NBC tonight before moving to Peacock for streaming, making it widely accessible for anyone who wants to see a baseball icon through an entirely new lens — pun intended.

Ken Griffey Jr.'s Baseball Legacy: The Numbers Behind the Legend

To understand why a documentary about Griffey doing anything draws national attention, you have to understand the magnitude of the man's baseball career. Ken Griffey Jr. spent the majority of his career with the Seattle Mariners, becoming arguably the most beloved player in franchise history and one of the most gifted outfielders the game has ever seen.

• 630 career home runs — placing him among the all-time greats
• 13 Gold Glove Awards — a testament to his extraordinary defense in center field
• 13 All-Star selections — a perennial fixture in the Midsummer Classic
• 1997 AL MVP — the pinnacle of a dominant decade

When Griffey retired from baseball in 2010, he left the game having redefined what it meant to be a complete player. His effortless swing, his wall-climbing catches, and his ever-present backwards cap became cultural touchstones that transcended the sport itself.

In 2016, the baseball world gave Griffey the formal recognition he deserved: election to the Baseball Hall of Fame on the first ballot, receiving votes on 99.3% of ballots cast — the highest percentage in Hall of Fame history at the time. The Seattle Mariners retired his number 24, making Griffey the first player in franchise history to receive that honor.

Life After Baseball: Owner, Advisor, and Board Member

Griffey has never been content to simply rest on his laurels. His post-retirement career has been defined by active engagement with the sport he loves and the team that made him a legend.

In 2021, Griffey made history once again — this time in the boardroom. He joined the Seattle Mariners ownership group, becoming the first former player to hold a partnership interest in the organization. It was a fitting development for a man whose name is synonymous with Mariners baseball, and a clear signal that Griffey intended to shape the franchise's future, not just represent its past.

That same year, Griffey was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame's Board of Directors, expanding his influence over the institution that immortalized him. He has also served as a senior advisor to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, giving him a voice in shaping the direction of the game at its highest administrative level.

As Yahoo Sports notes, Griffey's post-playing life has been remarkably full — a contrast to the quiet retirement that many athletes choose after the spotlight fades.

Griffey at the Masters: A Photographer's Perspective

The leap from baseball dugout to golf course press corps might seem like an unlikely trajectory, but Griffey's experience at Augusta National reveals something important about his character: he approaches new challenges with the same seriousness he brought to the batter's box.

Photographing a major golf tournament requires more than just showing up with an expensive camera. The Sony Alpha 1 that Griffey used is a professional-tier instrument capable of shooting at 30 frames per second with exceptional autofocus — but the camera is only as good as the eye behind it. Sports photography demands an understanding of movement, anticipation, and timing that, interestingly, translates well from elite athletic experience.

Griffey positioned himself on the 18th green as McIlroy rolled in his historic putt. The moment — McIlroy completing the career Grand Slam and ending over a decade of near-misses at Augusta — was one of the most emotionally charged scenes in recent golf history. The New York Times' feature explores how Griffey experienced that moment not as a fan, but as a working journalist responsible for documenting it for posterity.

The documentary captures this journey — from learning the craft to earning the credentials to being in the right place at the right moment when history was made.

Rory McIlroy's Masters Win: The Historic Moment Griffey Captured

The backdrop to Griffey's photographic debut at Augusta was itself one of the great sports stories of 2025. Rory McIlroy's Masters victory was years in the making — a win that had tantalized and then frustrated one of golf's most talented players across more than a decade of attempts.

McIlroy's win gave him the career Grand Slam — victories at all four major championships — joining an exclusive club that includes Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Gary Player, Ben Hogan, Gene Sarazen, and now McIlroy as the sixth member. The win also snapped an 11-year drought since his last major title, making it one of the most emotionally resonant victories in recent golf memory.

For Griffey to be present, camera in hand, for that specific moment adds an almost cinematic quality to both stories. One legend documenting another's crowning achievement — it is the kind of intersection that sports rarely scripts so neatly.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ken Griffey Jr.

What is Ken Griffey Jr. doing now?

As of 2026, Ken Griffey Jr. is active in several roles: he is a partner in the Seattle Mariners ownership group, serves on the Baseball Hall of Fame's Board of Directors, works as a senior advisor to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, and has recently pursued sports photojournalism. His documentary about photographing the 2025 Masters premieres on NBC on April 5, 2026.

When did Ken Griffey Jr. retire from baseball?

Griffey retired from professional baseball in 2010 after a career that spanned more than two decades. He spent the majority of his career with the Seattle Mariners and also played for the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago White Sox.

What camera did Ken Griffey Jr. use at the Masters?

Griffey used the Sony Alpha 1, a professional-grade mirrorless camera, to photograph the 2025 Masters Tournament, including Rory McIlroy's historic winning putt on the 18th green.

When was Ken Griffey Jr. inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame?

Griffey was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016 on his first ballot of eligibility, receiving votes on 99.3% of ballots cast — the highest percentage in Hall of Fame history at the time of his election.

Where can I watch the Ken Griffey Jr. Masters documentary?

Photographer No. 24: Ken Griffey Jr. at the Masters premieres on NBC on April 5, 2026 and will subsequently be available to stream on Peacock.

Conclusion: The Ongoing Story of Ken Griffey Jr.

Ken Griffey Jr. has always been more than a baseball player. He was a cultural phenomenon during his playing days — the backwards cap, the natural swing, the joy he brought to the game — and in retirement, he continues to find new ways to engage with the world of sports. From the ownership suite to the Hall of Fame boardroom to the fairways of Augusta National, Griffey refuses to let his story end with his final at-bat.

Tonight's documentary premiere is a reminder that the most compelling athletes are often those who carry their competitive spirit and curiosity beyond the final whistle. Griffey the photographer, like Griffey the center fielder, was in the right place at the right moment — and he had the tools and the instincts to capture something memorable.

Whether you're a lifelong Mariners fan, a golf enthusiast who followed McIlroy's Masters journey, or simply someone fascinated by athletes reinventing themselves, Photographer No. 24 offers something worth watching. Tune in tonight on NBC or catch it on Peacock — and in the meantime, explore more on what Ken Griffey Jr. has been up to since hanging up his cleats.