Is Ken Griffey Jr. really playing the organ?

No, Ken Griffey Jr. isn't a real organist; he appears to play the organ in a recent Nike commercial, but the music is actually performed by professional organist Nathaniel Gumbs, who played while Griffey Jr. acted out the part, fulfilling a unique cameo in the ad celebrating baseball's October magic.

Does Ken Griffey Jr. actually play the organ?

Nathaniel Gumbs '09 (Bachelor of Music in Performance) recently collaborated with Nike on a new national television commercial featuring baseball icon Ken Griffey Jr. Although the ad shows Griffey Jr. playing the organ, the music heard throughout the spot is performed by Gumbs.

Who's playing the organ in the Just Do It commercial?

MLB fans, particularly those of the Seattle Mariners, have tried to figure out who that is playing the organ. And if you guessed Ken Griffey Jr., you're correct. The all-time great makes this commercial cameo in a unique sort of way.

Do all MLB stadiums have an organist?

But, with the advancement of technology, organists have dwindled down. According to a 2023 story from the SFGate, only nine MLB teams still employ a full-time organist. "You love the music in a stadium but the ability for an organ to bring what is to me [a] distinctly baseball feel to a game," Davis said.

How much do MLB organists get paid?

While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $68,000 and as low as $48,500, the majority of Baseball Organist salaries currently range between $50,000 (25th percentile) to $61,500 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $66,500 annually across the United States.

Ken Griffey Jr. on why he didn't take steroids in the '90s | EPISODE 6 | CLUB SHAY SHAY

Is the number 69 banned in the MLB?

Yes, you can wear 69 in MLB, as there are no official rules against it, but it's rare because some teams or equipment managers discourage it due to its sexual connotation, though several players, like Bronson Arroyo and A.J. Cole, have worn it, making it a surprising but permissible choice. While many higher numbers have been used, 69 is uncommon, often seen as a joke or given to rookies, but players have used it for extended periods, notes.
 

How much did Nike offer Caitlin Clark?

Caitlin Clark's Nike deal is an eight-year contract worth a reported $28 million, which includes her own signature shoe line, making it the richest endorsement deal for a women's basketball player. The deal was signed in 2024 after she finished her NCAA career, securing her with Nike, who she'd previously worked with, over competitors like Under Armour. 

Did Nike hire non-binary furry?

Yes, Nike featured non-binary, furry esports champion Dominique "SonicFox" McLean in their late 2025 collaboration campaign with designer Martine Rose, celebrating gamers as heroes in modern sport, showcasing SonicFox in and out of their fox costume and makeup as part of the "Gaming Division" focus.
 

Is Phil Knight still the owner of Nike?

Yes, Phil Knight still has a major ownership stake in Nike through his family's holding company, Swoosh LLC, owning roughly one-fifth (around 20-21%) of the company, making him the largest individual shareholder, though he retired as Chairman in 2016 and serves as Chairman Emeritus. His influence remains significant, as his family controls the majority of the company's Class A shares, which hold voting power.
 

Do the Diamondbacks have a live organist?

Bobby Freeman has been the Arizona Diamondbacks' organist since the team's inception in 1998. Freeman, a self-taught musician, coordinates his playing with the team throughout the game. The episode explores Freeman's passion for his role and the unique experience of being a sports organist.

What was Vin Scully's famous line?

Vin Scully's most famous catchphrase, used to start games, was "It's time for Dodger baseball!". He also had memorable sayings for big moments, like "In a year that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened" for Kirk Gibson's 1988 home run, and descriptive phrases such as "little roller up along first" for a ground ball.
 

What's with Colonel Sanders behind the home plate?

So who was the man in white behind the plate? KFC confirmed he was indeed someone sent by the company to promote their newly renamed sandwich. The fast-food chain is changing the name of its “fan-favourite” Zinger Sandwich to the Dinger Sandwich to support the Jays.

Has an organist ever been ejected from a baseball game?

The umpire ejected the organist for playing “Three Blind Mice” 💀

Is Ken Griffey Jr. a billionaire?

Ken Griffey Jr. is the bigger earner of the two. Most reports say his net worth is about $90 million. This came from his long baseball career, big contracts, and deals with brands during and after his playing days.

Do the Dodgers have a live organist?

Music Director and organist for @LAKings & @Dodgers.

What are a furry gender pronoun?

Fur/Furs is a gender neutral neopronoun inspired by the word "fur". The neopronoun can be used by anyone regardless of gender identity or expression.

Who is Oregon Ducks' biggest donor?

As of 2023, Knight has donated over one billion dollars to the University of Oregon. It is believed that Knight made his first major contribution in the late 1980s. By 2000 Knight had already contributed over $50 million to UO.

Does Nike still support LGBTQ?

Yes, Nike still supports the LGBTQIA+ community through ongoing initiatives like athlete partnerships, community grants, employee programs, and storytelling, although they shifted away from a large, annual Pride apparel collection in 2024, focusing instead on broader support and in-person programming. Their long-standing commitment, seen in programs like "Be True," emphasizes creating inclusive spaces in sports, ensuring all athletes feel free to play as themselves.
 

How much did Nike pay Simone Biles?

When Simone Biles walked away from Nike three months before the Olympics she wasn't rejecting a deal. She was rejecting a dynamic. Nike paid her $1.6M a month, but what she really wanted couldn't be bought: 💥 Creative input.

Does Nike still pay Michael Jordan?

Yes, Michael Jordan still makes significant money from Nike through royalties from the highly successful Air Jordan brand, earning hundreds of millions annually as the brand operates as a separate business within Nike and generates billions in sales, making it one of the most lucrative athlete deals ever. He receives a substantial percentage (estimated around 5%) of all Jordan Brand sales, a deal that has evolved from his initial 1984 agreement and continues to pay him decades into his retirement.
 

What did Michael Jordan offer Caitlin Clark?

Caitlin Clark, the Iowa Hawkeyes superstar, just landed a massive $52M contract from Nike—personally offered by Michael Jordan! From shattering records to filling arenas, this deal cements her as the face of women's college basketball.

What MLB player has autism?

While there isn't a well-known current MLB star with autism, Tarik El-Abour made history as the first player with autism to sign a minor league deal with the Kansas City Royals in 2018, inspiring many, while former player Jim Eisenreich played with both Tourette's Syndrome and Asperger's (a form of autism). These examples highlight the growing awareness and inclusion in baseball for athletes on the autism spectrum.
 

What number has never been worn in baseball?

Baseball has been around FOREVER, and players have been wearing numbers on their jerseys since the 1920s. But believe it or not, there are FOUR two-digit numbers that have NEVER been worn. They are: 80, 86, 89, and 92.

Why did Dennis Rodman wear 69?

Dallas Mavericks (2000)

Rodman wanted the jersey number 69, and one jersey was made, which he held up in his introductory press conference. The league forbid him from wearing that jersey due to the number's sexual connotations; Rodman wound up wearing number 70 instead.