Major League Baseball's “Let the kids play” mantra will take on a whole new meaning in the coming years. The original “Kid,” Ken Griffey Jr., has been appointed as a Senior Advisor to MLB commissioner Rob Manfred. Junior's role will have an emphasis on youth baseball development and increased diversity, among other things.

Griffey issued a statement underlining his readiness to promote the sport:

“I am humbled to be asked to work with Major League Baseball in this role,” MLB icon Ken Griffey Jr. said, via ESPN's Joon Lee. “It will be an honor to represent the best sport in the world and to promote our game among today's youth.”

Manfred also issued a statement welcoming Griffey into the fold, also signaling the commissioner's office will look to glean knowledge from Junior's perspective:

“We are thrilled that Ken will represent Major League Baseball on some of our sport's most important stages, alongside our current and future stars,” MLB head man Manfred said, via Lee. “We welcome the perspective and insights that Ken gained as an historic player, as a parent, and as someone who has spent his life in and around our great game.”

Griffey is perhaps the most culturally important player to ever grace the diamond.

Ken Griffey Jr. was a megastar unlike any other baseball has seen during the 1990s. He rocked his hat backwards and beamed with joy. Griffey was also exceptionally marketable as the poster boy for Nintendo 64 games and the Nike Air Griffey Max, which remains one of the most popular baseball shoes ever created.

MLB is taking strides to shift the culture. Longtime executive Theo Epstein was appointed as an advisor, and now Griffey will do his part to grow the game and infuse more fun into the sport.