Ken Griffey Jr retiring at age 40

SEATTLE - Seattle Mariners slugger Ken Griffey Jr the "heart and soul" of a franchise whose 630 career home runs rank him fifth on the all-time list, retired after a 22-season career, the team said on Wednesday.

The 40-year-old, 13-time All-Star outfielder was selected first overall by Seattle in 1987 and also spent time with the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago White Sox before returning to the Mariners in 2009.

"While I feel I am still able to make a contribution on the field, and nobody in the Mariners front office has asked me to retire, I told the Mariners when I met with them prior to the 2009 season and was invited back, that I will never allow myself to become a distraction," Griffey said.