Everett, Wash.
Published: Friday, May 23, 2008

BASEBALL: Griffey hits 598th career home run

Associated Press

 SAN DIEGO -- Ken Griffey Jr. hit his 598th home run, his first in 90 at-bats, in the first inning for the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night against the San Diego Padres.

Griffey hit a 3-1 fastball from Randy Wolf an estimated 411 feet into the right-field seats. Wolf is the 382nd pitcher to allow a home run to Griffey.

Griffey is attempting to become the sixth player in baseball history to reach 600 homers. Griffey last homered on April 23 in Cincinnati off Houston's Chris Sampson. The 90 at-bat homerless drought was the second longest of his career.

Griffey also became the fourth player to hit at least 300 home runs with one team and 200 with a second. Griffey had 398 homers for the Seattle Mariners, with whom he played from 1989 to 1999, and has hit 200 home runs with the Reds. Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro and Jimmie Foxx are the others to accomplish that feat.
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA