By Kevin Kelly
Enquirer staff writer
ST. LOUIS - Before he walked into the Reds clubhouse, Mark Crummley peeled off the Albert Pujols jersey he wore to Busch Stadium on Sunday.
Ken Griffey Jr. gave him a suitable replacement - the jersey off his own back.
Crummley, a 19-year-old student at Southern Illinois, caught the Reds center fielder's 500th career home run Sunday at Busch Stadium.
"It just bounced right to me," said Crummley of Mount Carmel, Ill. "I had my back to the field and security just came up and got me out of there."
Rather than keep the ball and turn a profit at auction, Crummley gave the ball back to the man that hit it off Cardinals pitcher Matt Morris in the sixth inning.
"I never expected it to happen so I didn't have plans to do anything," Crummley said. "It just didn't seem right to sit there and plea bargain with him over his baseball.
"It means a lot more to him than me so I just gave it back to him."
Griffey had changed jerseys after hitting his 500th. He gave Crummley the one he finished the game wearing.
In return for the ball, Crummley received three autographed bats, some hats, the jersey and a glove.
For Griffey, it was a small price to pay for a lifetime memory.
"Mark was awesome," Griffey said. "He was just a class act."
Steve Wolter, owner of Sports Investments Inc. in Montgomery, has told The Enquirer the ball from Griffey's 500th home run likely would command $50,000 to $75,000 at a national auction.
Griffey met Crummley in the Reds clubhouse after the game.
The fan's first impression of Griffey was how much taller he was in person.
Reds players also stopped by and offered thanks to Crummley.
"It's not all about the money or all that stuff," Reds first baseman Sean Casey said. "What a great kid. That shows that there are still some good people that have some character out there.
"I think Griff gave him a shopping spree. It's unbelievable."
Souvenirs here
Several items worn, and used, by Ken Griffey Jr. Sunday will be distributed to various museums, people and businesses.
"As I was walking in I started stripping because so many places wanted things from today," Griffey said. "The only thing that I have left is the pants. I'll figure out what to do with those."
The National Baseball Hall of Fame, which collected the batting helmet worn by Griffey when he hit No. 400 on April 10, 2000, will get the batting helmet Griffey donned Sunday.
The Reds Hall of Fame and Museum will receive two wristbands and two batting gloves.
Another wristband worn by Griffey will be given to the widow of a New York City firefighter killed on Sept. 11, 2001. His cleats will be added to an exhibit at Nike. Griffey will keep the ball, bat and game uniform.
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E-mail kkelly@enquirer.com
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