Since joining Inter Miami more than a month ago, football great Lionel Messi has continued to draw stars and sports giants to his American games, and Wednesday’s game featured a special twist.
The Hall of Fame baseball star Ken Griffey Jr. was seen taking pictures of Messi’s game in Miami vs. Nashville SC. Prior to the match, he was also spotted snapping pictures with Floyd Mayweather. During the game, Griffey was photographed acting as a photographer on the sidelines while donning his trademark backward baseball cap. The game was a 0-0 draw in the end.
According to Miami sports announcer Josh Moser, Griffey was formally designated as the event’s still photographer. According to the New York Post, Griffey has a background in photography that dates back at least to 2015 when he was seen capturing shots at the Fiesta Bowl.
Griffey, 53, who played for the Mariners for 13 seasons, recently went to this year’s Home Run Derby in Seattle. At the occasion, which featured current Mariners All-Star Julio Rodriguez, he even took a few pictures.
In his retirement, Randy Johnson, a Hall of Fame teammate of Griffey’s in Seattle, has turned to sports photography. Griffey stated his intention to cover track & field competitions at future Olympics in 2016.
No goals were scored on Wednesday, but Griffey saw history as Miami lost for the first time in 10 games since Messi joined the team.