Ken Griffey, Jr. back with Mariners again as special consultant

Junior is back.

Ken Griffey, Jr. is returning to the Seattle Mariners as a special consultant less than a year after abruptly retiring from baseball.

The Mariners made the announcement Tuesday morning.

Griffey's role is still being defined, but he'll be involved with the Mariners at spring training and the regular season, along with visiting most of the Mariners minor-league affiliates.

Team President Chuck Armstrong says that despite Griffey's abrupt retirement last June when he simply issued a statement saying he was retiring, Griffey has been "steadfast in his desire to continue his relationship with the Mariners."

"Ken made it clear then that he wanted to come back as a Mariner, finish his playing career as a Mariner, and when he was done playing, we're hoping, have a life-long relationship as a Mariner," Armstrong said. "This is something that has long been in the works."

 Armstrong told Greg Johns of mlb.com that Griffey's role is still evolving, but that among his desires is to talk to the club's Minor Leaguers about what it means to be a Mariner. He is also expected to be involved with marketing, broadcasting and community relations.