[Kitty]

We knew 20 years ago, when he was 19 and skinny, that an achievement of this magnitude was possible. The signs were everywhere. Ken Griffey Jr. was the son of a major leaguer, he was from Stan Musial's hometown, Donora, Pa., he says he never struck out in a high school game and he was the Seattle Mariners' No. 1 pick in the June 1987 draft.

Now he is 38 and thick, he wears Babe Ruth's No. 3, not Willie Mays' No. 24 as he did in those early seasons. He plays right field now, not center field. He doesn't scale fences like he used to and he doesn't smile as often as he used to. But nonetheless, in the first inning Monday night at Florida against Mark Hendrickson, he joined Ruth, Mays, Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron and Sammy Sosa in the most exclusive and prestigious club in sports, the 600 Home Run Club.

ESPN - Griffey simply breathtaking in his prime - MLB

[Kitty]

Ken Griffey Jr. connects for his 600th homer in the first inning Monday. (Wilfredo Lee/AP)

In the first inning vs. the Marlins, Griffey hit a two-run home run off Marlins left-hander Mark Hendrickson.

After Jerry Hairston Jr. led off the game with an infield single, he stole both second and third base with Griffey up. On a 3-1 offering from Hendrickson, Griffey connected on a curveball.
Gone. There was no doubt about it.

Griffey trotted slowly around the bases and high-fived first-base coach Billy Hatcher as he rounded the base. After he touched home plate, he was greeted by a hug from his 14-year-old son, Trey, who was in uniform watching from the dugout.

Fans gave Griffey a standing ovation, and he appeared from the dugout for a curtain call.

The Official Site of Major League Baseball: News: Griffey joins kings of clout with No. 600

[JollyDodger]

that was a FAT curve from Hendrickson...thank GOD LA got rid of him!

[BlueBaron]

Congrats to Jr.! HOF bound!