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Griffey hits 2 homers, passes McGwire for 7th on career list


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http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-r...p&type=lgns

Griffey hits 2 homers, passes McGwire for 7th on career list

By GREGG BELL, AP Sports Writer

June 24, 2007

SEATTLE (AP) -- Ken Griffey Jr.'s homecoming to Seattle got even sweeter on its final day.

Griffey hit his 583rd and 584th home runs during the Cincinnati Reds' game Sunday against the Mariners, tying and then passing Mark McGwire for seventh on the career list.

In the first inning, Griffey hit a 2-0 pitch from Miguel Batista to left-center. The slugger took a step and hopped in anticipation of a home run that he had said he hoped to hit this weekend at Safeco Field, "The House that Griffey Built." The ballpark opened in 1999 -- the last full season Griffey played in Seattle before he was traded to his hometown of Cincinnati.

As Griffey's high drive dropped toward the wall, left fielder Willie Bloomquist leaped and appeared to catch it. For an awkward moment, no one knew if Griffey had homered or flied out to end the inning. Third base umpire Brian Runge was in the outfield but made no signal. He looked instead at his crew for help.

Bloomquist had no reaction. Griffey simply stood between first and second. And the third consecutive sellout crowd at Safeco Field stood in odd silence.

Finally, when Bloomquist began walking back to his position without the ball in his glove, Runge signaled home run and the crowd cheered Griffey's 15th career home run at Safeco Field. The 37-year-old former Seattle icon pointed to the stands behind the Reds' dugout after he crossed the plate.

His second homer was vintage Griffey, a no-doubt drive in the fifth reminiscent of so many he launched at the since-demolished Kingdome across the street. He jumped all over Batista's first pitch and sent it rocketing off an advertisement lining the second deck beyond right field for another solo shot.

Griffey dropped his bat immediately and stood for a couple of seconds admiring No. 584. The crowd gasped as the ball soared. Then the fans, many of whom were wearing Griffey Mariners jerseys from his 1990s heyday, roared almost as loudly as they had Friday night when they gave him a 3 1/2 -minute standing ovation during a pregame ceremony to welcome him back to Seattle for the first time since he left in a trade in February 2000.

The homers, his first two against Seattle in six career games, left Griffey two behind Frank Robinson for sixth place. It also gave Griffey 1,654 RBI. That gave him sole possession of 18th place ahead of ex-Red Tony Perez.

Updated on Sunday, Jun 24, 2007 5:53 pm EDT

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ya hes killin it the last 2 months. too bad the rest of the team is struggling so its all for not.

so as of i think saturdays game, the marketing for the upcoming games has changed. it was come cheer ur reds on at GAB. or something now its, come watch griffey make history!!!! lol otherwise even the team knows the seasons in the tank and thats the only way ppl will go see the reds at this point.

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What a great moment in the history of Baseball this weekend. Griffey's homecoming to Seattle, people holding signs saying "The House That Griffey Built" and to pass Mcguire on the all time HR list... Just a great feeling watching my boyhood idol be so appriciated... Cincy, this guy is an absolute Gem!

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WHO CARES IF THEY DO. he is way overpayed for a small market team that has terrible pitching. even if they get swindled it'll at the minimum free up money to get more players.

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WHO CARES IF THEY DO. he is way overpayed for a small market team that has terrible pitching. even if they get swindled it'll at the minimum free up money to get more players.

Griffey is only positive thing going on the Reds right now, if the rest of the guys would get their heads out their asses and play like big leaguers they could field a decent team. I know he has some trade value but if you let Barry Larkin play into the twilight of his career why not Griff.

I think if Griffey can stay healthy for 4 more years he could have a shot at passing Bonds for the HR record, I believe he can do it.

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did griff start his career on the reds like barry larkin? NO. he even said when he retires, he'll retire as a mariner. he won't pass bonds for the HR record, give me a break. I agree he is one of the few positives with the reds right now but this season is a lost cause and so is the next few if we dont get rid of him now.

i wouldnt mind if they kept him, not saying i dont like griff, i just am thinking what would be best for the future. if we dont get rid of griff, get rid of dunn. hatteberg or conine need to go, and i wouldnt mind them trading gonzalez either.

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did griff start his career on the reds like barry larkin? NO. he even said when he retires, he'll retire as a mariner. he won't pass bonds for the HR record, give me a break. I agree he is one of the few positives with the reds right now but this season is a lost cause and so is the next few if we dont get rid of him now.

i wouldnt mind if they kept him, not saying i dont like griff, i just am thinking what would be best for the future. if we dont get rid of griff, get rid of dunn. hatteberg or conine need to go, and i wouldnt mind them trading gonzalez either.

I believe Griffey can do it, only time will tell. As for the Reds trading players they need to make pitching the strength of their team in order to be consistantly competitive, they have to get a dominate guy in their to make everyone else better. It's all about pitching, you can find the bats but pitching is the hot commodity.

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WHO CARES IF THEY DO. he is way overpayed for a small market team that has terrible pitching. even if they get swindled it'll at the minimum free up money to get more players.

Griffey is only positive thing going on the Reds right now, if the rest of the guys would get their heads out their asses and play like big leaguers they could field a decent team. I know he has some trade value but if you let Barry Larkin play into the twilight of his career why not Griff.

I think if Griffey can stay healthy for 4 more years he could have a shot at passing Bonds for the HR record, I believe he can do it.

Speaking of Bonds and Griffey, this picture just made me wince. I call it "The Good, The Bad, and it's UGLY!" :o

capt.1127d633bf4541e5a5619a9073f64519.giants_reds_baseball_csb104.jpg

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