DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Griffey belts HR #600

Did it in the 1st inning off Mark Hendickson.

Now while I want to congratulate Jr. for doing it the right way, I can't help but say I'm somewhat dissappointed.

He was one game away from going back to a homestand. But of all the places he could have hit it, he hit it in the place you'd least want to hit a HR of that magnitude. The place wasn't even halfway full. No one ever goes to the Marlins games. And its a converted football stadium. Dophin Stadium on a monday night. If it were in Cincy they probably would have cheered him for minutes with a few curtain calls, instead it goes down like this. But ranting aside...

Congrats Ken Griffey Jr.

Good for him... never really was a fan... guess he can hit it where ever he wants.

He still has that beautiful vintage swing. Congrats to Junior!

congrats to ken...good guy, could have been one of the best (some would argue he is up there) if he stayed healthy these last 4-5 years....i guess that's the difference between a steriod user and a non steriod user. You don't get better as you get closer to 40 or 42 for that matter.

I bet they have something for him during his next home game.-Some of the Reds fans on here will have to tell us about it.
Congrats to Griffey Jr.

Nice. You know what other mile stone is coming up? His 600th fake injury.
:Hides from Jules:

In an era of steroid and HGH inflated home run totals, Griffey is legit. He still has the nicest swing I've ever seen, except for maybe Manny Ramirez. Congrats to Griffey, a first ballot HOF'er, imo.

Congrates Griff....

Congrats to Griff, one of the best of the last 25 years and largely underappreciated...

I heard on the radio that he has missed over 2 1/2 full seasons if you combine his injuries. If he could have stayed healthier, he might be chasing 700 now instead of 600....

Awesome achievement. I agree with others who've mentioned what might have been had he been able to stay healthy on a consistent basis. Sadly, we'll only be able to speculate on that. Still, he's a terrific player and is well-deserving of the accolades that have, and will continue, to come his way. Congrats Junior!

Congratulations to one of the classiest guys in all of baseball! When you see all that is going on in that game, it's good to see the one who truly seems to be the only honorable one get his due!

Congrats to Jr! Now do us all a favor and knock Mr Sosa down another notch!

All joking aside (and smack) congrats to Ken. He has busted his butt, and played through a lot to get where he is.

Griffey has always made me proud to be a Reds fans...although it could have been better for him!

I would have loved to be at GABP tonight...to see the honors with both Griffey and Nuxhall...that had to be cool.

Congrats to Griffey. People will always wonder what he could have done without injuries.

Future of Griffey's 600th home run ball remains to be seen
June 10, 2008
CBSSports.com wire reports

MIAMI -- When it comes to Ken Griffey Jr.'s 600th home run ball, "Joe" still doesn't know what to do.

The man who caught the historic ball -- identified only as a longtime Florida Marlins season-ticket holder named "Joe" -- has not decided between selling the ball or giving it back to Griffey, the Cincinnati Reds slugger who became the sixth player in Major League Baseball history to reach the 600-homer plateau on Monday.

Marlins president David Samson, who says he knows the ticket holder from various team events, met with the man on Tuesday and will speak to him again in the coming days. Through the team, Joe has declined to reveal his full identity or release any personal details.

"I think he knows what all his options are, in terms of selling it, in terms of getting something else for it, in terms of a trade," Samson said. "There's all sorts of different options and I'm just going to try to do what's best for everybody."

Griffey told the Marlins on Monday that he would like the ball, and the Reds approached "Joe" about whether the future Hall of Famer could obtain it. Their attempts were rebuffed.

But several Marlins hope that Griffey, at least one day, gets the chance to obtain the ball.

"Come on, this is a baseball," Florida outfielder Cody Ross said. "Just give it back to Griffey. I mean, jeez. Give it to the Hall of Fame or something. Get an autograph from him or get to meet him. It's getting out of hand, I think. It's kind of bizarre to me that now they have to label the balls and stuff. They didn't do that stuff back in the day."

Back in the day, it wouldn't have been worth big money, either.

David Kohler, president of SCP Auctions -- who auctioned off several of Barry Bonds' historic home run balls last year, including No. 762 -- which could be the last of Bonds' career -- said Griffey's 600th could fetch at least $50,000 and perhaps up to $100,000 if put up for sale.

"Ken Griffey Jr. is very well thought of in baseball by a lot of fans," Kohler said. "His 500th ball was given back to him by the guy that caught it. But the 600th, he's only the sixth guy ever to do that, so he's in some big company there. I mean, 600's a big number."

Meanwhile, "Joe" has already shown he's pretty good at making quick decisions.

Another man claimed that he caught the ball, only to have it ripped from his hands. But video evidence -- supported by the Marlins -- shows a man in a Florida jersey catching the ball, and Samson said it's clear that man is "Joe."

Further, "Joe" had another ball with him from batting practice, and pointed to that one underneath one of the seats in right field, sparking a scrum between people duped into believing that was the real No. 600. Instead, he had the 600th home run ball all along, and MLB authenticated that his indeed was the genuine article.

AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service


My 2 cents: If I was in the same situation, I'd sell it 100 out of 100 times. If "Joe" can get $75,000, that's season ticket money for a lifetime, the dream car he's always wanted, money to put his kids through college or to pay off his house. Being able to do any of those options is way more important than having the ball back in the hitters hands...cause Grif's a "good guy that did it the right way".

If you want to be the nice guy, offer Grif the ball for $50K. He's got the cash and it's a "hometown discount". Otherwise, auction it off to the highest bidder. Heck......auction it off and donate all the money to a charity if you feel guilty. Don't give it away for nothing (and I include meeting Grif and getting a few items autographed nothing).

They were talking about this on the radio last week in anticipation of him hitting 600. They said Griffey is a huge saver of important balls and bats and would love to have the ball, but he probably wouldn't pay for it.

If those things are important to me, and I make millions, I would pay the guy $50k-$100k for the ball.

I dont know what "joes" financial situation is but if he is an average guy, I would like to see him sell it, hopefully to griffey. I agree with Punchsmack: "My 2 cents: If I was in the same situation, I'd sell it 100 out of 100 times. If "Joe" can get $75,000, that's season ticket money for a lifetime, the dream car he's always wanted, money to put his kids through college or to pay off his house. Being able to do any of those options is way more important than having the ball back in the hitters hands...cause Grif's a "good guy that did it the right way".

If you want to be the nice guy, offer Grif the ball for $50K. He's got the cash and it's a "hometown discount". Otherwise, auction it off to the highest bidder. Heck......auction it off and donate all the money to a charity if you feel guilty. Don't give it away for nothing (and I include meeting Grif and getting a few items autographed nothing). "

However if he is wealthy and doesnt need the money, just give it back to Griffey. I do hate the way these balls are sold, but if it can help change someones life than so be it, because it may be that persons chance of a life time. Barry Bonds 756th home run ball was bought for more than 750K. Barry Bonds' Net Worth is $22.8 Million (AP).He could afford 750K.These athletes make millions of dollars ,so they can afford the balls.

I heard on TV last night that Griffey was meeting the guy who caught the ball, and the guy does plan on giving it back to Griffey, though no financial terms were mentioned, but from the looks of it, he's going to get the ball.

A lot of people seem to forget, that when you sell an item like this not only do you have to pay a gift tax, but also have to claim it as income as well. I remember hearing that these guys only get about 25% of the actual money received, so basically your not getting rich, and lately most people have been trading for other items, bats, tickets, jerseys etc... to avoid the taxes on cash.

Technically you're supposed to claim the bartered items, too, but most people don't. However, Joe's trade will probably be well known...taxes no matter how you look at it.

on a side note......

@#$%&^(*!! THE REDS SUCK!

these past two games have been pathetic, and while pitching has been bad, this team can't score at all. Looper had only made it out of the 6th twice all year. Tonight he pitches a complete game shutout.

this teamlacks plate discipline, hitting fundementals, small ball techniques, they are down by like 6 runs and they are still hacking at pitches on the first throw. Looper made it out with under 100 pitches through 9 innings, the game lasted only 2 hours and 15 mins, thats over half an hour fatser than the league average.

every year we say how this team has so much potential, but it never traslate on the field. we can't keep using youth and potential as an excuse. these guys have to start producing, playing with heart and fire, and while dusty isn't that type of manager he needs to lite a fire under them, anything but what we're doing now. the cardinals have embarassed us the first two games of the homestand, and against a former reliever and a rookie the reds could only put up 2 runs

pathetic