Reds' Griffey Hits 500th Homer in Victory

ST. LOUIS - Ken Griffey Jr. trotted around the bases as if it were just another home run. It was anything but that - Griffey hit a 2-2 fastball from Matt Morris into the right-field stands to lead off the sixth inning Sunday, securing a spot in the record books as the 20th player with 500 homers.

The star center fielder ended a frustrating stretch with the swing, which helped the Cincinnati Reds beat the St. Louis Cardinals 6-0. At 34, he became the sixth-youngest player to reach the milestone.

Griffey, who had been stuck on No. 499 for a week, took a few extra seconds to watch his drive fly into the seats, then dropped his bat and slowly trotted around the bases with his 19th homer of the season.

The base coaches simply shook Griffey's hand as he passed by. When Griffey crossed the plate, he tapped fists with teammate Adam Dunn, who then patted Griffey on the helmet. All of his teammates then came out on the field to congratulate him after the historic homer.

Griffey then went to a box next to the Reds' dugout and hugged his father, Ken Griffey Sr., and children.

Griffey, the first to reach 500 in a Cincinnati uniform, got a warm ovation from a sellout crowd of 45,620 on Lou Brock bobblehead day. He then received a standing ovation as he ran out to the field before the bottom of the sixth, responding with a wave of his cap.

Before Griffey reached center field, Reds relievers came out of the bullpen and congratulated him.

Jung Keun Bong (1-1) allowed three hits in six scoreless innings and three relievers finished a combined four-hit shutout to end the Reds' nine-game road losing streak. The slump was the team's longest since they dropped 10 in a row from June 1-24, 1998.

The Reds, who got a three-run homer from Jason LaRue in the fourth, also averted a three-game sweep and ended the Cardinals' six-game winning streak. The NL Central leaders have won 15 of 20.

Jimmie Foxx was the youngest player to hit 500 homers, reaching the milestone at 32. Willie Mays, Sammy Sosa, Hank Aaron and Babe Ruth also hit theirs at 34.

Griffey was the fastest to 350, 400 and 450 before being slowed by injuries the last three seasons.

Three other active players have hit 500 homers. Barry Bonds is third on the career list with 676, Sosa has 549 and Rafael Palmeiro has 538. Fred McGriff needs seven homers to become the 21st player to hit 500.

Griffey is the second player to hit his 500th homer in St. Louis. Mark McGwire connected for his 500th off Andy Ashby of the San Diego Padres in 1999.

Griffey was 5-for-21 with four RBIs in six games since homering last Sunday against Cleveland, and he hadn't come close to the fences before hitting his big homer off Morris, a drive estimated at 393 feet.

The ball was caught by 19-year-old Mark Crummley of Mount Carmel, Ill. Crummley gave the ball to Griffey after the game.

Griffey hit a pair of high fly balls in his first two at-bats. He flied out to center near the warning track leading off the second, and hit a sacrifice fly to center to drive in the first run in the Reds' five-run fourth against Morris.

Morris, who had won his previous three starts, gave up six runs on six hits in six innings. He has allowed a major league-high 23 homers in 15 starts.

Notes:@ The Reds are 11-5 against first-place teams. ... The Reds are 15-2 when Griffey homers. He has 11 homers and 28 RBIs in his last 28 games. ... During the road losing streak the Reds were outscored 87-48. ... Lou Brock bobblehead day came on the former basestealing champion's 65th birthday.

(SUBS 2nd graf to add detail that pitch was fastball; SUBS 16th graf to correct spelling of man who caught ball, and add that he gave it to Groffey; SUBS 18th graf to correct that Griffey was 1-for-3; Optional upcoming; STANDS for BC-BBN--Reds-Cardinals)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

At 34, he became the sixth-youngest player to reach the milestone.
.....

Jimmie Foxx was the youngest player to hit 500 homers, reaching the milestone at 32. Willie Mays, Sammy Sosa, Hank Aaron and Babe Ruth also hit theirs at 34.

Griffey was the fastest to 350, 400 and 450 before being slowed by injuries the last three seasons.

Three other active players have hit 500 homers. Barry Bonds is third on the career list with 676, Sosa has 549 and Rafael Palmeiro has 538. Fred McGriff needs seven homers to become the 21st player to hit 500.

Griffey is the second player to hit his 500th homer in St. Louis. Mark McGwire connected for his 500th off Andy Ashby of the San Diego Padres in 1999.

Given the limited press his last few years have gotten due to his injuries and being on a bad team, I was shocked this week to hear he was approaching 500. He could easily get to 600 and certainly has a good shot at 700 still. I really thought he had been injured so much that none of his career totals would be that good.

It'll take a miracle for him to get to 600. His body's beat. If you look at his career totals, there's an incredible amount of mileage on his body, going back to his rookie season at 19, and for many years he played the outfield like a football player, which means his body took a lot more hits than less selfless players did. Probably the only way he gets to 600, is if he returns to the AL as a DH.

It is all a matter of health. If he plays 5 more healthy seasons, ie 140 games plus, he will come close to 700 HRs. He had four or five years of playing 140ish games early in his career and then two years of injury. After that injury streak, he had another four or five year streak of 140ish games, then the latest injury shortened seasons. But another five year healthy streak is less likely health at his age now, but not impossible.

Another problem he might have is his batting average. It is a bit low this season and that may run him out of the game before health or lack of power. Of course he may just be coming off a slump and may end up the year in the 280 or 290 range of his career average.

the 20th player with 500 homers

I love useless stats. Reminds me of the movie "Major League"...

he became the sixth-youngest player to reach the milestone.

the first to reach 500 in a Cincinnati uniform

let's see what other obscure stats we can come up with... Hmmm...

Ok, Griffey was the first and youngest and only Red to hit his 500th homer on a 2-2 pitch, against a young pitcher who had shoulder injuries and elbow surgery... ...on the twentieth of June in an even numbered year...

I congratulate Griffey and hope for many more years of success for him. Being a Reds fan, I started to lose hope that Griffey would ever amount to much as a Red after all the injuries and can claim guilt in expessing frustration. Seeing him hit his 500 makes me re-examine him as a ballplayer. He is truely one of the all time greats and I feel bad for taking that for granted.

I have no idea why so many dispise him, though. Maybe because he walks a tad after his homers. Maybe because he doesnt "hustle" out ground outs, because he doesn't give a bunch of interviews. All legit complaints but one thing is for sure, he epitomizes family.

The only bad thing I heard from him is his comments about Rob Dibble, the moronic ex-Red who has a personal issue with Griff because Griffey wouldnt sign a ball for Dibble after Dibble criticized how Junior handles himself.

He also once said that the Reds fans wanted him to fail but I pin that on frustration. The media would approach him daily during his hard luck injuries asking "is the old Griffey gone for good". Its recorded that he is somewhat of an introver (except when he is with his teammates where he plays practical jokes and says knock-knock jokes).

Well, back here in Seattle, people either LOVE him, or HATE him.
Safeco field is referred to as "The house that Griffey Built", by Dave Niehaus our local radio and TV guy.
He will always get a standing O here (All star game), unlike A-Rod who gets booed and has $$$ thrown at him every time he is in town!
I think the deal is, we loved him because he was a STAR of the highest caliber while he was here! He was FUN to watch!
But as far as being a leader? NO WAY! He was terribly insecure and kind of a poor sport to boot!
I also know a guy who did yard maintenance for him and Jay Buhner. Buhner (and his whole family) were just GREAT! Said hello...pleasant, nice~ Griffey was pretty "high and mighty" about his "hired help".
He was also a BIG WHINNER! Used to count the signs at the King Dome (glad to see that bldg. go down) and complain if there were more signs for someone else...
Anyway, we all miss his (healthy) bat, but not his attitude. This was pretty apparent opening night when his replacement (Mike Cameron) caught a big fly ball up against the fence in center field. He got a HUGE "Welcome to Seattle-standing O". It was pretty obvious that Seattle was ready to move on with out Griffey.
I loved to watch him though! And I wish him the best wherever he ends up.
Perhaps this stint has helped him grow up a little. Must be agonizing to be an everyday player and be on the bench as much as he has been for the last 4 seasons. I am glad he is having a good year.
So.....GO GRIFFEY!

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.