Griffin Jax
James Griffin Jax
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 2", Weight 195 lb.
- School United States Air Force Academy
- High School Cherry Creek High School
- Debut June 8, 2021
- Born November 22, 1994 in Phoenix, AZ USA
Biographical Information[edit]
When he made his major league debut, pitcher Griffin Jax was a First Lieutenant in the United States Air Force Reserve. He was the first graduate of the United States Air Force Academy to play above A-ball, and obviously the first to reach the major leagues. He had to complete two years of active duty after graduation, as the rule allowing exceptions for professional athletes had been rescinded by the Trump Administration, but he was eligible to take part in an Armed Forces program for World Class athletes hoping to compete for the Olympics (he was eligible because baseball was on the program of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo). That allowed him to make some limited appearances in minor league baseball in the Minnesota Twins organization, the Twins having drafted him in the third round of the 2016 amateur draft, making him the highest ever draftee from the Academy.
After completing the two years, he was able to serve out the remaining three years of his commitment as part of the Reserve, with 24 days of active duty per year which could be taken in the off-season. His wife Savannah is also an Air Force officer, serving in the intelligence branch at Moody Air Force Base near Valdosta, GA, where they make their home; she has done a tour of duty in Afghanistan. Griffin never actually had to fly a plane as part of his air force training, but did have to make around 200 parachute jumps, a training that every Air Force cadet needs to experience.
He had a rough major league debut as he allowed 3 runs on 3 hits in one inning of work in an 8-4 loss to the New York Yankees on June 8, 2021, including giving up a pair of homers to Gary Sanchez and Miguel Andujar.
His father, Garth Jax, played 11 seasons in the NFL as an offensive lineman.
Further Reading[edit]
- Do-Hyoung Park; "Jax on cusp of bigs after Air Force journey", mlb.com, February 10, 2021. [1]
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