The Associated Press

LaGRANGE, Ga. - Ken Griffey Jr., Barry Larkin and Adam Dunn joined a crowded church at Dernell Stenson's funeral Monday, giving the Cincinnati Reds rookie one last standing ovation.

LaGrange resident Lee Phelps is overcome during the funeral ceremony Monday. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

About 30 of Stenson's teammates from Cincinnati and the Arizona Fall League filled four pews at First Baptist Church.

"It's just a testament to what kind of person Dernell was," said Larkin, the Reds' captain.

"I don't know what else is in heaven, but heaven has got to have a baseball team," said the Rev. Marshall Stenson, Dernell Stenson's uncle. "When you are acquainted with somebody who can bring this many people together across racial lines, I'm just proud to be a part of this family."

Larkin said after the service that Stenson made an impression in the Cincinnati clubhouse.

"He always seemed to have a smile on his face, even when things were not going well on the field," Larkin said. "As a veteran ballplayer, that's one thing you like to see, that the young players want to be there."

Stenson was found dead Wednesday in Chandler, Ariz., after a night out with friends. He was kidnapped in a robbery of his sport utility vehicle and killed while trying to escape, Arizona police said.

Reginald Riddle, 19, and David Griffith, 20, were charged Monday with first-degree murder, robbery and kidnapping. Riddle was also charged with hindering prosecution and attempted hindering prosecution.

Riddle's half-brother Kevin Riddle, 43, was charged with theft, hindering prosecution and attempted hindering prosecution.

Robert Maye was being held on suspicion of hindering prosecution.