Cincinnati Reds: Top 10 all-time leaders in home runs

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OAKLAND, CA – JUNE 7: Ken Griffey Jr. # 30 of the Cincinnati Reds grounds out for his last at bat of the game against the Oakland Athletics on June 7, 2004 at Networks Associates Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Reds lost 13-2 as Griffey’s career home run total stays at 498 as he attempts to join the 500 home run club. (Photo by David Paul Morris/Getty Images) /

9. Ken Griffey Jr.

Oh, what could’ve been for “The Kid”. Ken Griffey Jr.’s story could’ve had such a different outcome if the Cincinnati-native were able to stay healthy during his career with the Reds. But, it was not to be, and Junior shows up at No. 9 all-time on the Reds’ home run list.

For his career, Junior racked up 630 long balls, 210 of which occurred while he was a member of the Cincinnati Reds. Ken Griffey Jr. was traded from the Seattle Mariners to the Reds in February of 2000. In exchange, Cincinnati sent Brett Tomko, Mike Cameron, and a pair of Minor Leaguers to the Emerald City.

Griffey Jr. signed a a 9-year/$112-million contract in what appeared to be many fun-filled years ahead for Junior and the Reds. But, alas, it was not to be. Griffey Jr.’s first season in Cincinnati could be deemed a success. He hit 40 homers and drove in 118 runs, but his OPS of .942 was the lowest he’d seen in 5 years.

The following season saw Junior limited to just 111 games. He hit only 22 homers that season 65 RBIs. From 2002-2004, Griffey Jr. ended each year on the disabled list. In 2005, he saw a bit of a revival to his career, as he played in 128 games and hit 35 homers.

Junior played 2 1/2 more seasons in his hometown before being traded to the Chicago White Sox midway through the 2008 season. In 2004, while playing a game in St. Louis on Father’s Day, Ken Griffey Jr. became just the 20th player in Major League Baseball history to hit 500 home runs for his career.

It was a sight to behold, as Junior rounded the bases and found his father, Ken Griffey Sr., in the stands at Busch Stadium. The two shared an embrace in one of the most iconic moments in The Kid’s career. Though his career in Cincinnati was marred by season-ending injuries and a decrease in power, Griffey Jr. will go down as one of the all-time great sluggers in baseball history.