DaytonDailyNews.com

MIAMI — Ken Griffey Jr. lives with the immortals, his name now forever etched in the pantheon of prodigious home run hitters.

On an 80-degree night in front of 16,003 in-person witnesses in the Dolphin Stadium dungeon, Griffey crashed into immortality with his 600th home run, joining five of the most recognizable names in baseball history in The 600 Club — Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays and Sammy Sosa.

The historic blow came off Florida Marlins lefthander Mark Hendrickson in the first inning, a 413-foot blast that nestled just inside the right field foul pole.

It launched the Reds to a 9-4 victory and overshadowed Edison Volquez's ninth victory, even though he gave up more than two earned runs (three) for the first time this season in his 13th start.

He only gave up three hits and had a no-hitter until Luis Gonzalez led the fifth with a single that launched a three-run inning.

And it overshadowed catcher Paul Bako's two home runs — a first in his career — and five RBIs.

Griffey's home run came on a 3-and-1 pitch and gave the Reds a 2-0 lead, scoring Jerry Hairston Jr. from third base, carrying a fractured left thumb across the plate, sustained on a slide while stealing second base.

"Griffey told me (Sunday) he was going to do it, so I figured he meant (Monday)," said manager Dusty Baker. "After he did it, he said, 'I'm a man of my word. I keep my word.'"

Said Griffey with a smile, "I say a lot of stuff."

Griffey said Mays called him 10 days ago and Hank Aaron called the next day.

"They told me to just relax and have fun," said Griffey. "That helped calm me down and settle my nerves."

Griffey said he doesn't remember circling the bases, "It went by quickly and I floated around the bases and don't remember touching them."

He remembers one of his first greeters, after he crossed home plate and pointed to family in the stands. It was his 12-year-old son, Trey.

"In the dugout he kept staring at me and I finally said, 'What?' He said, 'You hit 600!"

Griffey insists that when he signed his first professional contract, home runs were not on his mind.

"My dad hit 152 home runs in his career and that's who I thought I would be," he said. "A No. 2 hitter. Move runners over. Never in my dreams did I think I'd hit 200 homers or 300. . .or 600."

He was at a loss when asked about being one of only six to hit 600 home runs and when asked to put it in perspective, he hesitated for long moments, then said, "No, I can't do it."

Asked about taking a load off his shoulders, he said, "I wasn't really worried about it. I just tried to be patient, get a pitch I could hit and get a ball up. I've been hitting a lot on the ground. I was fortunate tonight to get a curve ball and hit it out."

Said Baker, "It was awesome. Every time you see a milestone like that, it doesn't take away from any of the others I've seen, it just adds to it. I hope when we get home (tonight) that everybody gives him a big welcome and love and appreciation, because that's a tremendous feat and an honor."

Hairston is the third shortstop to go down for the Reds and there isn't much left beyond Paul Janish, who will play the next few games.

Jeff Keppinger began a rehab assignment Monday night and could be recalled immediately, but he needs some at-bats before he steps onto a major-league field.

With Griffey's two-run homer in the first, Bako's three-run homer in the second and a leadoff home run by Brandon Phillips in the third, the Reds led, 6-0.

Phillips was 0 for 12 and 2 for 11 with runners in scoring position when he clobbered his 12th homer.

Volquez was on cruise control for four innings — a no-hitter and good enough stuff to throw a no-hitter. But he hit a snag in the fifth when he gave up three runs and three hits.

The first two Marlins reached in the sixth, but Volquez squirmed out of it and his day was done.

Bill Bray gave up a leadoff home run to Mike Jacobs in the eighth, cutting the lead to 6-4, then the Reds put it away in the ninth with three runs, two on Bako's second home run of the night.

"Much better that Griffey hit his 600th in a winning game, or I wouldn't be too happy sitting here talking about it," said Baker. "He gave us a much-needed lifted that we haven't been getting early in the game and he got us rolling tonight.

"That was a monster home run and this place isn't that easy to hit them in," Baker added. "He got us on the board early and got it over with."

So, it is 600. . .and counting.

Joe has plans for Griffey ball

The man who captured Ken Griffey Jr.'s 600th home run is named Joe — maybe. Joe Fan?

Reds media relations director Rob Butcher tried to retrieve the historic ball from the fan, who refused to give it up.

He wouldn't give his name, address, or phone number and said, "My name is Joe."

And he added, "Before you go on any further, because of my circumstances I'm keeping the ball. I have plans for it."

— Hal McCoy

Today's game

Who: Cardinals (Boggs 0-0) at Reds (Bailey 0-1)

When: 7:10 pm. TV: FSN Ohio

Radio: WLW-AM (700); WONE-AM (980)

Vote for this story!