I was at a sports bar last week, minding my own business over a lukewarm beer, when the question popped up on the screen during a trivia night: “Which current MLB star has the highest career earnings?” Everyone yelled “Shohei Ohtani,” but the answer, according to the host, was still Ken Griffey Jr. I nearly choked on my pretzel. Wait—is Junior, who last swung a bat in 2010, still cashing checks from the Cincinnati Reds?
The Sound of That Paycheck Echoing
It’s not exactly a secret that the Reds signed Griffey to a nine-year, $116.5 million contract back in 2000. That deal, my friends, was massive for its time—like, buy-a-small-island massive. But you know what they don’t tell you in the highlight reels? The Reds didn’t just stop paying him when he retired.
Yes, you read that right. The Reds are still paying Ken Griffey Jr. a portion of that contract, and it’s not a rumor—it’s a deferred money situation. Think of it like a really, really long installment plan for a vintage car that spent half its time in the shop.
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In fact, according to the fine print of that old contract, the Reds owe Griffey about $3.5 million a year for several decades after his playing days ended. Let that sink in: while you’re stressing about your car payment, Junior is probably deciding which vintage wine to pair with his deferred check.
Why Deferment? (The Boring but Necessary Part)
Deferred money is a classic baseball trick to keep the payroll numbers looking friendly while you’re trying to win. Back in 2000, the Reds wanted to sign Griffey without blowing their budget for the next decade, so they agreed to pay him a chunk of his salary after he hung up his cleats. It’s like buying a pizza and promising to pay for it in 2030—with interest.
So, from 2009 onward, the Reds have been sending him checks for that deferral. The original deal was structured so that he’d get $9 million over 12 years starting in 2009, then more payments spread out until 2035. Yes, 2035. That’s the year I’ll be complaining about my knees.
And here’s the kicker: the Reds are still paying for his injuries, too. He only played in about 70% of games during his nine-year Reds tenure, but the money keeps flowing. Talk about a golden parachute—or a golden swing.
Ken Griffey Jr. Reds trade in 2000 look back
But Is He “Still” a Red?
No, no—he’s not suiting up in the dugout. But financially? The Reds are effectively his part-time pension fund. If you think about it, Junior is the guy who gets paid long after he’s stopped working, which is a life goal we should all aspire to. I mean, I’d love to get a check from my old job for missing deadlines and taking sick days.
This is also why the Reds’ payroll might look smaller than you expect. Every year, they’ve got this hidden $3.5 million ghost eating into their budget. It’s not a huge number in today’s game, but it’s a funny little reminder of a star that once was.
And, let’s be honest, it’s not just the Reds. The Mariners also deferred some of his money from the 1990s, but the Reds’ commitment is the one that raises eyebrows because it’s lasting into a whole new century.
What Does Junior Think About This?
Probably nothing. He’s too busy playing golf, signing autographs, and being a Hall of Famer. But if you could ask him, I bet he’d flash that iconic backwards cap smile and say something like, “Hey, they offered, I signed.” And you know what? He’s right.
Ken Griffey Jr. Signed Reds 16x20 Print (Beckett) | Pristine Auction
The irony is thick: the Reds gave him that contract hoping for a World Series, and instead they got a lot of highlight catches and a bunch of hamstring pulls. Yet, the deferred payments are a reminder that baseball is a business, and sometimes the business keeps paying even when the dream doesn’t pan out.
So, the next time you see a Reds game and wonder why their payroll seems low, just whisper to yourself: “Junior is still getting his.” Because he is. And he always will—until 2035, or until the league goes bankrupt, whichever comes first.
Final Thought (Before You Check Your Own Bank Account)
So, are the Reds still paying Ken Griffey Jr.? Absolutely. And they’ll be paying him for a good while longer. It’s a strange, delightful footnote to baseball history—a story about a generational talent whose contract outlasted his prime, his peak, and almost his entire adult life.
Now, I’m not saying you should negotiate deferred payments on your next freelance gig, but… maybe consider it? Just get it in writing, unlike the Reds, who probably wish they had a do-over. Until then, raise a glass to Junior: the man who turned a swing into a forever paycheck.