Peter Casey-Imagn Images
There were plenty of notable names among the massive crowd of people that watched Rory McIlroy complete the career grand slam with a win at The Masters. That includes Ken Griffey Jr., who was covering the event as a credentialed photographer and got one of the best pictures of the golfer celebrating the victory that had eluded him for more than a decade.
If I had a nickel for every former MLB player who spent 22 seasons in the league and ended up enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame before pivoting to a career as a professional photographer, I’d have two nickels—which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird that it’s happened twice.
That duo of greats is comprised of Randy Johnson and Ken Griffey Jr., who both declined to rest on their laurels in retirement and instead opted to pick up a camera and start their own photography business.
Last week, Griffey attracted plenty of attention when the world discovered he was one of the few people who earned the right to snap pictures during The Masters after landing the credential required to bring photography equipment on the grounds of Augusta National during the major (patrons are permitted to do the same during the practice rounds, but that privilege expires once the tournament gets underway on Thursday).
Griffey spent plenty of time roaming the course during the four-day event that culminated with Rory McIlroy facing off against Justin Rose in a playoff after the former choked away what seemed to be an insurmountable lead, but the Northern Irishman was finally able to vanquish his demons with a birdie to secure his first green jacket.
At that point, every photographer on the course had descended upon the 18th green to capture the scene, and while McIlroy’s emotional reaction was documented by a number of different people, Griffey was responsible for one of the best shots to come out of The Masters this year.
Getty Image / Ken Griffey Jr.
Masters champion Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland celebrates on the No. 18 green after a sudden death playoff against Justin Rose of England to win the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (Photo by Ken Griffey Jr./Augusta National/Getty Images)
Nailed it.