Griffey’s 600th home run puts him in elite company
Before Ken Griffey Jr. was traded to the Cincinnati Reds following the 1999 season, he totaled 398 home runs during his tenure with the Seattle Mariners. Eight years later, on June 9, 2008, Griffey achieved a milestone that only five other players had ever reached.
Griffey Jr. became the sixth player in major league history – and the first in Cincinnati Reds annals – to accomplish this feat, joining the exclusive club of Hank Aaron, Barry Bonds, Willie Mays, Babe Ruth and Sammy Sosa.
In the days leading up to this game, Griffey told the Cincinnati Enquirer: “Willie called me about 10 days ago; Hank called the next day. They told me to relax and keep having fun. I think that helped me a little bit.”
A string of significant injuries – torn hamstring, torn patellar tendon and dislocated shoulder – had delayed Griffey’s march toward the milestone. Pitchers were also avoiding history as Griffey entered the game against the Florida Marlins having walked nine times in his previous 27 plate appearances since hitting number 599 on May 31.
Griffey said: “I’ve been swinging better the last 10 days. I’ve been able to get the ball in the air, rather than beat it into the ground.”
A crowd of 16,003 filled Dolphin Stadium that night, anticipating the chance to witness history.
In the first inning, with a runner on third, Griffey delivered a towering fly ball to deep right field off Mark Hendrickson for a two‑run home run, giving Cincinnati an early lead and securing his place among the game’s all-time greats.
The crowd gave Griffey a warm, extended standing ovation. Griffey stepped out for a curtain call, removing his helmet and acknowledging the fans.
“I don’t think I touched the base,” he later said. “I floated around. It didn’t hit me until I saw my family and (son) Trey.”
The Reds went on to win the game 9-4, but the lasting memory from that night was Griffey’s historic milestone.
Griffey reached 600 home runs in 2,439 games, fourth-fewest of all time.
Reflecting on his journey, Griffey told the Miami Herald: “Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would hit 200 home runs, 300 home runs – or even six.”
Griffey played 22 seasons and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016. A 13‑time All‑Star, he earned the 1997 American League Most Valuable Player Award, won seven Silver Slugger Awards and captured 10 Gold Glove Awards.
Khadifi Madison was the spring 2026 Jim Murray Scholars intern at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
