The SNES baseball game that bears his name is at least twice as charming as Ken Griffey Jr., and much more fun.
In fact, the only other thing he's ever done besides his Simpsons cameo (where, according the DVD commentary, he uttered "It's like there's a party in my mouth, and everyone's invited!" without getting why that was funny) that hasn't annoyed me, it's this game.
Ken Griffey Jr. Presents Major League Baseball is a mervelous example of how baseball games used to be fun. The last 3D baseball game I played was MLB something-or-other for PS1, and I was put off by the slow gameplay, awkward pitching and hitting mechanics, and just straight up lack of fun. KGJPMLB (nice acronym, eh?) may be cartoony and unrealistic, but the game is bench-clearing brawl fun, and that counts for a lot.
Featuring the non-players association approved 1993 roster for MLB (players are given stupid pseudonyms that can be changed at any time), you get the pre-'94 strike goodness before baseball nearly killed itself through colossal arrogance. Alan Trammel, Barry Bonds before steroids, Donny Baseball...the retro kick of these players is phenomenal. Even the lack of the Diamondbacks and Devil Rays, as well as a Brewers squad still in the AL, should make a baseball fan smile.
The graphics are bright, sharp, and more than a little cartoony, which suits the game fine. Batters are presented as either pipsqueaks, average joes, or juiced-up Big Mac mothers, the latter of which generally smash the ball wherever they please. The sounds are good for their era, with generic but solid sound effects, crowd cheers, and above-average voice-overs (batters sometimes wail "oh, come onnnnnnnnn!" after striking out). Even the repetitive rock music soundtrack is oddly enjoyable. As a sensory package, KGJPMLB is a nice 16-bit throwback.
Gameplay-wise, 2D sensibilities rule the day with striking depth, at least in the pitching game. Batting is a *ahem* hit-or-miss affair - since making contact is so easy, what might seem like a homer will be a dribbler to short, or a really late, weak swing might drive the ball 475 feet. It all seems like a crap shoot, which leads to a moderately frustrating experience at the bat. Runs seem to come in feast or famine mode, so defense and pitching is extra important until your slugger jacks the four-bagger he's been holding back on. All batters have two stats, batting and power. "Power" seems to have a direct relation on how many homers a guy hits, but I don't know if "batting" really means anything. "Speed" really does, though, and a guy with less than 8 speed ain't gonna be stealing too many bases.
Pitching is completely unrealistic and tons of fun. Pitchers have three stats - speed, control, and stamina. While throwing heat seems like a good way to fan batters, the control pitchers can be made to throw some masterful junk - ephus pitches, sweeping curves, triple-motion curves, breaking balls. The possibilities for junk are many, and earning a strike out is incredibly rewarding, just as watching an oh-so-clever curve ball get belted into the bleachers is devastating.
Defending is reasonably fun, as long as you put together a capable defense. All players have a "defense" rating which governs not only how fast they are in the field, but how hard they throw. Hence, you don't try to stretch a single to a double when a left fielder with 10 defense fields the ball. The key to a good defense is shifting your best defenders to the hot spots - for example, if your first baseman has a defense of 9 or 10, put him at third or in left field. Finally, defenders can leap, dive, and even climb the outfield fence - all good, effective moves, all easy to execute.
The game also delivers great flexibility in terms of the normal business of managing a team. Positions can be swapped, lineups altered, pinch hitters and pinch runners used, etc. Pitchers fatigue (starters take between 40-60 pitches, relievers as little as 15 to get winded), so using the five-deep bullpen during the season takes skill and timing.
The greatest flaws here are troubling, but hey, it's a decade too late. There's no trade option, so the only all-star team you'll field is the actual all-star team. Also, forget about the make-your-own player option present in so many games.
Conclusion: if you've ever played Baseball Stars, and like that sort of thing, then you'll like this, too.