April 3, 2000: One of the greatest ovations ever at Cinergy Field was Opening Day 2000, when Ken Griffey Jr. returned to the city where he grew up - this time in a Reds uniform - and brought the house down.

A LOOK BACK

        “It was awesome,” Griffey said after the game. “It was something I wasn't expecting. It reminded me of my first Opening Day.”

        The crowd of 55,596 - the biggest regular-season turnout ever - stood and roared when Griffey trotted out to the first-base line with his new teammates.

        Griffey Jr. had returned to the stadium where he grew up watching his father, Ken Griffey Sr., play for the Big Red Machine.

        “The ovation was great,” Griffey Sr. said. “I had some tears in my eyes... It was great to have him home.”

        The game, against the Milwaukee Brewers, was postponed because of rain in the sixth inning. Three hours later, with the rain still falling, the game was called. All of the individual statistics stood - including Griffey's first two National League outs. The game began anew the next night.

        “We've still got 162 (games),” said Junior, during a postgame press conference with his parents. “I'm glad this is over with so the guys can settle down and be ready to play.”

        The Enquirer continues its countdown of the 32 greatest moments in the 32-year history of Riverfront Stadium/Cinergy Field. One of these moments will run every Sunday. The final 10 will be counted down daily on the morning of the last 10 Reds home games of the final season at Cinergy Field.

Reds trying to acquire Rogers Mets 8, Reds 7 Reds Box, Runs Gullett deserves two plaques in Hall McPhee enters Reds Hall Kids get to play with Griffey Another doll for Davis' mantel Finley thought he might be Red Reds Notebook: Dunn gets coaching on baserunning Cinergy Moment #19: Griffey comes home Reds Chatter: Hey, it's baseball season Reds Minor League Report Reds Q&A: Minors provide major talent Durham 3, Louisville 2 Mets finally scoring runs Hyzdu, Pirates pound Cardinals Angels 7, Mariners 6 Athletics 6, Rangers 5 Diamondbacks 7, Padres 1 Baseball power ratings 5 Questions with Strat-O-Matic founder Hal Richman

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