
Skidding Mets get cold reception in chilly Queens
Mets return home to chilly reception from fans during 11-game losing streak.
The Cincinnati Reds ended their hitting slump with a dominant 12-run performance against the Tampa Bay Rays. This victory marked a significant turnaround, as they scored more runs in 20 innings than in their previous six games combined.
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ST. PETERSBURG, FL – Maybe the Cincinnati Reds are more than just a pretty bullpen after all.
It’s still early in the season, but get a load of who doesn’t have the worst lineup in the majors anymore.
After bottoming out in the league through 21 games, the Reds have started slugging and scoring like their long-term playoff plans depend on it – which they probably do.
When they unloaded on Steven Matz and the Tampa Bay Rays bullpen for a season-high 12 runs in a series-clinching victory April 21 at Tropicana Field, they suddenly had more runs in their past 20 innings against two different teams than they had in six previous games combined.
This was a team that ranked last in MLB in hitting, scoring, slugging and OPS through Saturday.
Apr 21, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Cincinnati Reds infielder Elly De La Cruz (44) celebrates after a home run against Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field.
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The Cincinnati Reds scored 12 runs in their victory against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Before the game, the Cincinnati Reds ranked last in MLB in hitting, scoring, slugging, and OPS.
The Cincinnati Reds achieved their season-high of 12 runs on April 21 against the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Reds scored more runs in their past 20 innings against two teams than they had in their previous six games combined.

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Then they scored three in each of the ninth and 10th innings Sunday to pull off a comeback win in Minnesota and followed that up with 6-1 and 12-6 wins over the Rays – delivering their first four-run inning since April 11 along the way on Tuesday night.
Whether it’s too early to declare them out of a team hitting slump, consider some of the signs of life on Tuesday alone for the team that already was in first place in the National League Central thanks to its stalwart relief pitching:
Along the way, De La Cruz's sixth mult-homer game tied Pete Rose for most by a switch-hitter in franchise history.
They Rays’ pitching staff ranks among MLB’s bottom third. And old-pal Nick Martinez (2.45 ERA) is next from the mound against a group he’s pretty familiar with.
But a group with one of the best-hitting young players in the game, Sal Stewart, added for the full season, and 49-homer Suárez added as a free agent over the winter said this kind of life in the lineup was only a matter of time.
Look back at the career of Ken Griffey Jr., in this gallery. May 4, 1999: Ken Griffey Sr. gives some advice to son Ken Griffey, Jr., with the Seattle Mariners. The younger Griffey stopped in at Cinergy Field to visit with Griffey Senior who is a coach with the Reds.
February 10, 2000: Ken Griffey, Jr. tips a Reds cap at a Cinergy Field press conference announcing his trade to the Reds from the Seattle Mariners. Ken Griffey, Sr. (far left) and Junior's son Trey sports a Reds cap. Reds GM Jim Bowden (center) watches with pride.
February 11, 2000: The Griffey family stands together at a press conference where it was announced that Ken Griffey Jr. had signed a long term contract with the Cincinnati Reds. ( l-r) Alberta, Melissa, Ken Sr, Taryn, Ken Jr, and Trey.
February 20, 2000: Newly acquired Ken Griffey, Jr., accompanied by his son Trey, checked into the Reds training complex in Sarasota. Griffey clowns with his son about a glove he was trying on his hand.
June 20, 2000: Ken Griffey Jr. stands with Reds owner Carl Lindner before the Reds-Rockies game.
July 8, 2000: Ken Griffey Jr. is congratulated by teammate Barry Larkin in the third inning after hitting the first of his two home runs against Cleveland at Cinergy Field.
July 9, 2000: With bat in hand, Ken Griffey, Jr. argues a called third strike with umpire Justin Klemm. The argument was heated and Griffey, Jr. was ejected from the game. The arms of Jack McKeon are grabbing Griffey to break up the argument.
July 22, 2000: Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ken Griffey lifts up shortstop Barry Larkin and spins him around off the ground before the start of their game against Arizona.
August 6, 2000: Florida Marlins second baseman Chris Clapinski runs into Cincinnati Red Ken Griffey, Jr. tagging him out in the third inning at Cinergy Field.
August 7, 2000: Tennis star Pete Sampras shares a laugh with Cincinnati Reds' Ken Griffey Jr. at Cinergy Field. Sampras, in town for the Tennis Masters Series-Cincinnati, took a little batting practice with the team.
June 15, 2001: Ken Griffey, Jr., talks with Reds broadcaster Marty Brennaman as Ken Griffey, Sr. listens during batting practice.
August 9, 2001: Cincinnati Red Ken Griffey Jr. pumps his fist as he watches his 450th career home run sail across the outfield fence in the second inning at Cinergy Field. Home plate umpire Phil Cuzzi and Giants catcher Edwards Guzman look on.
The Cincinnati Reds' Ken Griffey Jr. has a picture taken with young Reds fan Austin Koch, 6 of Bridgetown during his autograph signing at Redsfest VI at the Cincinnati Convention Center on Dec. 7, 2001.
Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. throws to second base in the fifth inning against Chicago Cubs at Cinergy Field on April 4, 2002.
Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki and the Reds' Ken Griffey Jr. joke around during batting practice at Cinergy Field on June 19, 2002.
March 30, 2003: Ken Griffey Jr. readies for batting practice at Great American Ball Park.
Cincinnati Reds' Ken Griffey Jr. chats it up with New York Yankees' first baseman Jason Giambi at Great American Ball Park on June 3, 2003.
Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. gives two thumbs up to the bench after hitting a choppy base hit in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Great American Ball Park on April 21, 2004.
Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. stands on deck just before he hit a solo home run in the eighth inning against The San Francisco on May 8, 2004 at Great American Ball Park.
Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. crashes into Texas Rangers catcher Rod Barajas trying to score during the tenth inning at Great American Ball Park on June 15, 2004.
June 18, 2004: Ken Griffey, Jr.'s quest for his elusive 500th career home run moved on to St. Louis where the Reds will face the Cardinals for a three game series. Griffey motions to other players to leave the field as the grounds crew moves in to finish covering the field at Busch Stadium.
June 19, 2004: Ken Griffey, Jr.'s quest for his 500th career home run moved to St. Louis against the Cardinals. In rare form, Griffey chatted with Cardinals slugger Jim Edmonds. Griffey explains where his family is seated behind the third base dugouts in Busch Stadium.
Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. holds his son Tevin while his mother Birdie picks up the trophy for hitting his 500th career home run during pregame ceremonies on June 25, 2004 at Great American Ball Park.
July 4, 2004: Ken Griffey, Jr. raced home with the winning run ahead of the throw. Tim Hummel's 11th inning single scored Ken Griffey, Jr. from second base to lift the Reds over Cleveland 5-4 at the Great American Ball Park.
Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. poses for pictures during the Reds Kroger/Fujifilm Photo Day where fans flooded the stadium early to take photos of their favorite players before the game on July 16, 2005.
Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. showed up as players trickled into spring training camp in Sarasota on Feb. 16, 2006.
Well-known sports broadcaster Dick Vitale chats with Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. as he visited the Reds Spring Training facility in Sarasota on Feb. 16, 2006.
July 17, 2006: Lee May, Tony Perez and Ken Griffey Jr. share a laugh after the Reds Hall of Fame Ceremony prior to the Reds' game against the Colorado Rockies . Lee May was inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame.
The Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. poses for a head shot while at spring training in Sarasota on Feb. 25, 2006 in the USA uniform he will wear in the World Baseball Classic .
The Cincinnati Reds' Ken Griffey Jr. plays with a paintball gun after practice at spring training in Sarasota on February 25, 2006.
Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. and Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Sean Casey chat it up at first base at Great American Ball Park on April 6, 2006.
Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. and Joe Nuxhall interact as Nuxhall stopped by camp at spring training on Feb. 21, 2007.
Cincinnati Reds outfielders Ken Griffey Jr. and Adam Dunn wait to hit the field against the Chicago Cubs on April 2, 2007.
Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. interviews Reds broadcaster Joe Nuxhall in the dugout before a game against Cleveland at Great American Ball Park on June 8, 2007.
San Francisco Giants outfielder Barry Bonds and the Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. hang out during The Reds Annual Family Game at Great American Ball Park on July 4, 2007.
Sept. 7, 2007: The big boys, Ricky Watters (left), Adam Dunn, Dee Brown, Ken Griffey,Jr. and Joey Fatone, strike (at least) a pose at the Stars and Strikes for Kids event at King Pin Lanes in Anderson Township.
November 20, 2007: Ken Griffey Jr. looks up as he attends the visitation for Joe Nuxhall at Fairfield High School.
Cincinnati Reds players Joey Votto, Jay Bruce Norris Hopper and Ken Griffey Jr. wait to take batting practice at spring training in Sarasota on Feb. 23, 2008.
April 6, 2008: Reds manager Dusty Baker, right, shares a pregame story with coach Billy Hatcher, left, and ken Griffey, Jr., center.
April 20, 2008: Ken Griffey Jr. flashes the victory sign as he leaves the dugout. Griffey's 10th inning walk off single scored Ryan Freel with the winning run against the Milwaukee Brewers at Great American Ball Park.
Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. was all smiles while on deck before he hit his first inning solo home run against the Houston Astros at Great American Ball Park on April 23, 2008.
Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. hits a first-inning solo home run against the Houston Astros at Great American Ball Park on April 23, 2008. This was his 597th career home run.
Reds players Johnny Cueto and Ken Griffey Jr., both with the night off, hang out and watch their team beat the Florida Marlins 5-3 at Great American Ball Park on May 13, 2008.
June 1, 2008: Ken Griffey, Jr. walks past an ad on the right field wall as the Reds swept the Braves at Great American Ball Park.
Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr., the newest member of the 600 home run club, talks with the media about his accomplishments before a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Great American Ball Park on June 10, 2008.
Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. talks with former Reds pitcher and now Nationals assistant general manager Jose Rijo during batting practice on July 4, 2008 at Great American Ball Park.
Aug. 9, 2014: An emotional Ken Griffey Jr. reacts as he addresses fans during the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame induction at Great American Ball Park.
Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. head back to the clubhouse after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch for the Home Run Derby at Great American Ball Park on July 13, 2015.
Former Seattle Mariners and Cincinnati Reds player Ken Griffey Jr. poses with his plaque at the conclusion of the induction ceremony into the National Baseball Hall of Fame on July 24, 2016.
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Look back at the career of Ken Griffey Jr., in this gallery. May 4, 1999: Ken Griffey Sr. gives some advice to son Ken Griffey, Jr., with the Seattle Mariners. The younger Griffey stopped in at Cinergy Field to visit with Griffey Senior who is a coach with the Reds.
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Look back at the career of Ken Griffey Jr., in this gallery. May 4, 1999: Ken Griffey Sr. gives some advice to son Ken Griffey, Jr., with the Seattle Mariners. The younger Griffey stopped in at Cinergy Field to visit with Griffey Senior who is a coach with the Reds.
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February 10, 2000: Ken Griffey, Jr. tips a Reds cap at a Cinergy Field press conference announcing his trade to the Reds from the Seattle Mariners. Ken Griffey, Sr. (far left) and Junior's son Trey sports a Reds cap. Reds GM Jim Bowden (center) watches with pride.
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February 11, 2000: The Griffey family stands together at a press conference where it was announced that Ken Griffey Jr. had signed a long term contract with the Cincinnati Reds. ( l-r) Alberta, Melissa, Ken Sr, Taryn, Ken Jr, and Trey.
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February 20, 2000: Newly acquired Ken Griffey, Jr., accompanied by his son Trey, checked into the Reds training complex in Sarasota. Griffey clowns with his son about a glove he was trying on his hand.
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June 20, 2000: Ken Griffey Jr. stands with Reds owner Carl Lindner before the Reds-Rockies game.
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July 8, 2000: Ken Griffey Jr. is congratulated by teammate Barry Larkin in the third inning after hitting the first of his two home runs against Cleveland at Cinergy Field.
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July 9, 2000: With bat in hand, Ken Griffey, Jr. argues a called third strike with umpire Justin Klemm. The argument was heated and Griffey, Jr. was ejected from the game. The arms of Jack McKeon are grabbing Griffey to break up the argument.
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July 22, 2000: Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ken Griffey lifts up shortstop Barry Larkin and spins him around off the ground before the start of their game against Arizona.
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August 6, 2000: Florida Marlins second baseman Chris Clapinski runs into Cincinnati Red Ken Griffey, Jr. tagging him out in the third inning at Cinergy Field.
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August 7, 2000: Tennis star Pete Sampras shares a laugh with Cincinnati Reds' Ken Griffey Jr. at Cinergy Field. Sampras, in town for the Tennis Masters Series-Cincinnati, took a little batting practice with the team.
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June 15, 2001: Ken Griffey, Jr., talks with Reds broadcaster Marty Brennaman as Ken Griffey, Sr. listens during batting practice.
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August 9, 2001: Cincinnati Red Ken Griffey Jr. pumps his fist as he watches his 450th career home run sail across the outfield fence in the second inning at Cinergy Field. Home plate umpire Phil Cuzzi and Giants catcher Edwards Guzman look on.
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The Cincinnati Reds' Ken Griffey Jr. has a picture taken with young Reds fan Austin Koch, 6 of Bridgetown during his autograph signing at Redsfest VI at the Cincinnati Convention Center on Dec. 7, 2001.
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Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. throws to second base in the fifth inning against Chicago Cubs at Cinergy Field on April 4, 2002.
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Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki and the Reds' Ken Griffey Jr. joke around during batting practice at Cinergy Field on June 19, 2002.
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March 30, 2003: Ken Griffey Jr. readies for batting practice at Great American Ball Park.
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Cincinnati Reds' Ken Griffey Jr. chats it up with New York Yankees' first baseman Jason Giambi at Great American Ball Park on June 3, 2003.
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Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. gives two thumbs up to the bench after hitting a choppy base hit in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Great American Ball Park on April 21, 2004.
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Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. stands on deck just before he hit a solo home run in the eighth inning against The San Francisco on May 8, 2004 at Great American Ball Park.
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Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. crashes into Texas Rangers catcher Rod Barajas trying to score during the tenth inning at Great American Ball Park on June 15, 2004.
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June 18, 2004: Ken Griffey, Jr.'s quest for his elusive 500th career home run moved on to St. Louis where the Reds will face the Cardinals for a three game series. Griffey motions to other players to leave the field as the grounds crew moves in to finish covering the field at Busch Stadium.
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June 19, 2004: Ken Griffey, Jr.'s quest for his 500th career home run moved to St. Louis against the Cardinals. In rare form, Griffey chatted with Cardinals slugger Jim Edmonds. Griffey explains where his family is seated behind the third base dugouts in Busch Stadium.
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Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. holds his son Tevin while his mother Birdie picks up the trophy for hitting his 500th career home run during pregame ceremonies on June 25, 2004 at Great American Ball Park.
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July 4, 2004: Ken Griffey, Jr. raced home with the winning run ahead of the throw. Tim Hummel's 11th inning single scored Ken Griffey, Jr. from second base to lift the Reds over Cleveland 5-4 at the Great American Ball Park.
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Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. poses for pictures during the Reds Kroger/Fujifilm Photo Day where fans flooded the stadium early to take photos of their favorite players before the game on July 16, 2005.
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Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. showed up as players trickled into spring training camp in Sarasota on Feb. 16, 2006.
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Well-known sports broadcaster Dick Vitale chats with Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. as he visited the Reds Spring Training facility in Sarasota on Feb. 16, 2006.
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July 17, 2006: Lee May, Tony Perez and Ken Griffey Jr. share a laugh after the Reds Hall of Fame Ceremony prior to the Reds' game against the Colorado Rockies . Lee May was inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame.
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The Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. poses for a head shot while at spring training in Sarasota on Feb. 25, 2006 in the USA uniform he will wear in the World Baseball Classic .
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The Cincinnati Reds' Ken Griffey Jr. plays with a paintball gun after practice at spring training in Sarasota on February 25, 2006.
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Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. and Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Sean Casey chat it up at first base at Great American Ball Park on April 6, 2006.
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Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. and Joe Nuxhall interact as Nuxhall stopped by camp at spring training on Feb. 21, 2007.
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Cincinnati Reds outfielders Ken Griffey Jr. and Adam Dunn wait to hit the field against the Chicago Cubs on April 2, 2007.
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Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. interviews Reds broadcaster Joe Nuxhall in the dugout before a game against Cleveland at Great American Ball Park on June 8, 2007.
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San Francisco Giants outfielder Barry Bonds and the Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. hang out during The Reds Annual Family Game at Great American Ball Park on July 4, 2007.
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Sept. 7, 2007: The big boys, Ricky Watters (left), Adam Dunn, Dee Brown, Ken Griffey,Jr. and Joey Fatone, strike (at least) a pose at the Stars and Strikes for Kids event at King Pin Lanes in Anderson Township.
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November 20, 2007: Ken Griffey Jr. looks up as he attends the visitation for Joe Nuxhall at Fairfield High School.
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Cincinnati Reds players Joey Votto, Jay Bruce Norris Hopper and Ken Griffey Jr. wait to take batting practice at spring training in Sarasota on Feb. 23, 2008.
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April 6, 2008: Reds manager Dusty Baker, right, shares a pregame story with coach Billy Hatcher, left, and ken Griffey, Jr., center.
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April 20, 2008: Ken Griffey Jr. flashes the victory sign as he leaves the dugout. Griffey's 10th inning walk off single scored Ryan Freel with the winning run against the Milwaukee Brewers at Great American Ball Park.
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Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. was all smiles while on deck before he hit his first inning solo home run against the Houston Astros at Great American Ball Park on April 23, 2008.
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Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. hits a first-inning solo home run against the Houston Astros at Great American Ball Park on April 23, 2008. This was his 597th career home run.
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Reds players Johnny Cueto and Ken Griffey Jr., both with the night off, hang out and watch their team beat the Florida Marlins 5-3 at Great American Ball Park on May 13, 2008.
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June 1, 2008: Ken Griffey, Jr. walks past an ad on the right field wall as the Reds swept the Braves at Great American Ball Park.
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Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr., the newest member of the 600 home run club, talks with the media about his accomplishments before a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Great American Ball Park on June 10, 2008.
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Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. talks with former Reds pitcher and now Nationals assistant general manager Jose Rijo during batting practice on July 4, 2008 at Great American Ball Park.
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Aug. 9, 2014: An emotional Ken Griffey Jr. reacts as he addresses fans during the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame induction at Great American Ball Park.
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Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. head back to the clubhouse after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch for the Home Run Derby at Great American Ball Park on July 13, 2015.
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Former Seattle Mariners and Cincinnati Reds player Ken Griffey Jr. poses with his plaque at the conclusion of the induction ceremony into the National Baseball Hall of Fame on July 24, 2016.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Reds offense scores 12 runs vs. Tampa Bay Rays