As Mariners slugger Ken Griffey Jr.(notes) strolled to the plate for his first at-bat Tuesday night, the sound system at Safeco Field grooved to Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean."

Griffey's apparent tribute to the King of Pop, who was memorialized Tuesday, extended beyond the sonic. Close inspection of Griff Jr.'s grip on the bat showed a bare left hand and a white batting glove worn on his right.

Griffey usually wears dark blue gloves on both hands.

From Jim Moore in SeattlePI.com:

Before Tuesday night's game at Safeco Field, Ken Griffey Jr. said he was going to honor Michael Jackson by wearing one white batting glove in his first at-bat, and I thought he was kidding.

"Man, you're gullible," Griffey said.

Tricky. Griffey's tribute turned out to be earnest and effective. He drew a walk but — sorry — he didn't moonwalk to first base (VIDEO). If he had, Griffey would have been the first big leaguer since Jimmy Piersall in 1963 to go backward 'round the bases.

In his subsequent at-bats, Griffey reverted to his usual two-gloved stance. He finished 1-for-2. No one wants to be defeated, but Griffey's M's were, 12-4, by the Orioles.

After the jump, check out a close-up of Griffey's tribute and an old-school shot of Jackson with everyone's Mommy and Daddy from the '80s.

Griffey struck an accurate pose — MJ also wore his sequined glove on the right hand while going au naturel on the left.

Griffey was barely in his teens when Jackson, at his zenith of popularity, visited the White House in 1984.