Griffey joins 600-homer club

Jun 10, 2008 - 4:34 AM MIAMI (Ticker) -- Cincinnati Reds right fielder Ken Griffey Jr. became the sixth player in major league history to reach the 600-home run plateau by belting a two-run shot off Florida Marlins lefthander Mark Hendrickson in the first inning of Monday's 9-4 victory.

Griffey launched a 3-1 offering from Hendrickson over the right field wall to join Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays and Sammy Sosa as the only players to accomplish the feat. It was his second career blast off Hendrickson and fifth at Dolphin Stadium.

"I didn't really think about it running around the bases, just because I don't think I touched any of the bases," Griffey said. "I sort of floated around, and it didn't hit me until I waved to my family and saw (my son) Trey.

"I received 72 text messages and I have 18 missed phone calls, and I didn't think I knew that many people. I'll return Mom's call first."

Griffey now trails Sosa by nine for fifth place on the all-time home run list.

"My dad hit 152 home runs, and that's who I wanted to be like," Griffey said. "I came up as a second hitter and he was a second hitter. Get the guys over and let the big guys bring them in. That's what I thought I would be. I never in my wildest dreams thought that I would be hitting 200, 300 or 600 home runs."

The homer also was Griffey's 202nd with Cincinnati, moving him within one of Eric Davis for seventh place on the franchise list.

The 1997 American League MVP, Griffey blasted 398 home runs in 11 seasons with the Seattle Mariners before joining the Reds in a blockbuster trade after the 1999 campaign.

Despite being plagued by injuries during much of his tenure in Cincinnati, the 13-time All-Star was limited to just 41 home runs from 2002-2004. Griffey has managed to stay relatively healthy since, resurrecting his career in the process.

The 10-time Gold Glove Award winner blasted 92 homers over the next three campaigns, pulling him within seven of the 600-mark entering this season.

"I enjoy baseball, and as long as I can go out there help the team win, then I'm going to do it," Griffey said.