Ken Griffey Jr. knows better than most what it’s like to be in the shadow of a famous father, and he fully understands the unique position Bronny James is in now that he’s with the Los Angeles Lakers. Griffey Jr. made history back in 1990 when he joined his father, Ken Griffey Sr., to become the first father-son duo to appear on the same team in an MLB game, playing for the Seattle Mariners.
Similarly, Bronny James made his own historic debut alongside his father, NBA legend LeBron James, with the Los Angeles Lakers just last month. The moment was a significant milestone, with LeBron and Bronny becoming the first father-son pair in NBA history to share a roster.
As someone who had lived a similar experience, Ken Griffey Jr. offered Bronny some simple but powerful advice on how to handle the unique pressures that come with playing alongside a legendary father.
“I told Bronny to just relax, enjoy it, and be yourself,” Griffey Jr. shared. “You are not gonna be him. Nobody is him. When I joined the team with my dad, he told me, ‘This is your team. I’m just here.’ At home, he was dad, and at the ballpark, he was a teammate. It was that simple. But I’ll be honest—there were times when I rode home with mom because it was just safer that way.”
Griffey Jr.’s words reflect the complex dynamics of working alongside a parent who is also a sports icon. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a sense of individuality and keeping a balance between personal and professional life.
Griffey also wanted to ensure that Bronny understood the value of simply being present and observing. He believes that sitting on the bench and watching one of the greatest players of all time up close is an invaluable learning experience for Bronny.
“You’re gonna learn a lot by being able to sit there and watch him,” Griffey added. “People say Bronny needs to be in the G-League or that he needs more game time, but I’ll tell you what—I learned more sitting there watching my dad than anything else. Just being able to observe him, his discipline, his preparation, and how he handled every situation taught me so much.”
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The pressures of following in the footsteps of an all-time great can be overwhelming. Bronny James has spoken publicly about wanting to forge his own path, separate from the immense legacy of his father. LeBron James is widely considered one of the greatest basketball players in history, which only adds to the weight on Bronny’s shoulders as he embarks on his NBA journey.
Griffey Jr.’s advice is a reminder that it’s okay for Bronny to take his time, find his rhythm, and understand that he is not obligated to replicate his father’s greatness. Instead, he can learn and grow at his own pace, appreciating the rare opportunity to share the court with his dad.
Griffey’s words of wisdom come from his own lived experience, where he successfully navigated similar challenges and managed to become one of the most iconic figures in baseball, all while carving out his own path.
Bronny’s early NBA career will undoubtedly come with its challenges, but with guidance from figures like Griffey Jr. and the support of his father, he’s well-equipped to handle the ups and downs.
For Bronny, the journey is about more than just basketball—it’s about embracing the learning process, being present, and finding his own voice in the game.
As he works to improve his skills and make his mark on the league, Bronny James is taking the first steps on what could be a remarkable journey, much like the one Ken Griffey Jr. experienced in baseball.
