Ken Griffey Jr.’s No. 24 will be retired by Mariners organization

(AP) Two days after Ken Griffey Jr.’s call to the National Baseball of Hall of Fame became official, the Seattle Mariners have announced perhaps the coolest possible tribute to Griffey honor aside from his election to Cooperstown.

Beginning in 2016, no player in the entire Seattle Mariners organization will ever wear Ken Griffey Jr.’s No. 24 again. The number will be completely retired in his honor, with an official ceremony set to take place on the weekend of Aug. 5-7.

First Mariner in the Hall, last Mariner to wear No. 24. #Mariners to retire Ken Griffey Jr’s number. #JrHOF pic.twitter.com/gd2pI3UTUX

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) January 9, 2016

Beginning on Opening Day in April, no player in the ENTIRE #Mariners organization will ever wear number 24 again. #JrHOF

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) January 9, 2016

There are certainly past Mariners worthy of consideration to have their number retired. Hall of Famer Randy Johnson would be one. Edgar Martinez, a potential future Hall of Famer, would be another. It’s pretty clear though that the Mariners wanted to wait for this moment for Griffey, who will be the first to go in wearing a Mariners cap. That alone is pretty cool. But the lengths they’re going to honor his legacy is simply awesome.

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The announcement came during Griffey’s latest Hall of Fame press conference on Friday night at Safeco Field. The Mariners literally rolled out the red carpet for the honoree and give him a welcome fit more for royalty.

New HOFer Ken Griffey Jr. Is greeted by #Mariners staffers as he arrives for Safeco Field press conference pic.twitter.com/WbSDcnk83q

— Larry Stone (@StoneLarry) January 9, 2016

Bravo, Mariners. Bravo.

The team also announced Griffey will throw out the first pitch at their home opener on April 8, so the celebration of his career figures to be a year long venture. Fans attending the weekend event in August will also receive a bobblehead, replica Hall of Fame plaque and a jersey.

Of course, the love hasn’t just been limited to the Mariners organization. On Wednesday, Griffey’s No. 24 began flying high above the Space Needle in Seattle, signifying the love and respect he had earned from the entire city.