Grambling State third baseman Cameron Bufford and second baseman Kyle Walker are veterans of the Ken Griffey Jr. HBCU Swingman Classic.
And they are excited to return to this year’s game, which will take place on Friday, July 12, at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.
Bufford and Walker sat down with MLB Network at the Draft Combine at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, to discuss the Classic, an annual event sponsored by Baseball Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. and his Nike Swingman brand.
“It is important because without those organizations I would not be here.. You put a spotlight on kids like us that go out and compete.”@GramSt_Bsb infielders Cameron Bufford and Kyle Walker talk about the HBCU Swingman Classic.
📅 July 12th
📺 MLB Network pic.twitter.com/QS15SUojvH— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) June 18, 2024
“It’s awesome, a wonderful opportunity,” Walker said. “This is my second time doing it, and last year, man…it was amazing. It was just amazing, just all the fans and the atmosphere; it was a great opportunity.”
Bufford, the Tigers’ all-time home-run leader and the MVP of the SWAC baseball tournament, remembered his experience from last year’s game in Seattle when he met Ken Griffey Jr.
“That was my first time meeting him, and it was a surreal moment,” Bufford explained. “I had fun.”
The 2024 HBCU Swingman Classic presented by @TMobile & powered by the @MLBPA – @Baseball_YDF Roster‼️
Friday, July 12th at Globe Life Field during MLB All-Star Week ⚾🌟 pic.twitter.com/5AJc1mgCl9
— MLBDevelops (@MLBDevelops) June 18, 2024
Bufford and Walker also credited MLB’s RBI Program and Breakthrough programs for giving himself, Walker, and many other HBCU baseball players a chance to be seen.
“I think it’s very important because without those organizations, I wouldn’t be here,” he said. “They put the spotlight on kids like us to go out here and compete.”
Walker added, “It allows us to put our abilities to the forefront and be seen in places that we might not often be seen.”
The Tigers won their first SWAC baseball title since 2010 and recently competed in the College Station region of the NCAA tournament.
