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Lieutenant catches Griffey's 564th home-run ball

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman John Gordinier
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Second Lieutenant Christopher Franks, of the 20th Operations Support Squadron here, caught Ken Griffey Jr.'s 564th home-run ball April 24 during a baseball game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Cincinnati Reds at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

Lieutenant Franks and his friend, 2nd Lt. Mike McCants of the 55th Fighter Squadron here, were passing through St. Louis on their way back to Shaw from an initial flight screening in Pueblo, Colo.

"While we were in St. Louis, we decided to attend a baseball game at Busch Stadium," Lieutenant Franks said. "We were in the right-field stands about three rows back."

Before the game the lieutenants joked about catching a ball.

"I said, 'Wouldn't it be funny if we caught a home-run ball?' because we were sitting in the perfect spot,'" Lieutenant McCants said.

"Yeah, that would be great, especially if it came from Ken Griffey Jr.," Lieutenant Franks replied.

The lieutenants got their wish.

At the top of the fifth inning with a runner on first, Ken Griffey Jr. stepped up to the plate and smashed a ball deep towards right field on the first pitch.

"Wow, that's got a chance," Lieutenant McCants said. "I think it's going to get here." 

"I jumped up and leaned back and caught the ball with one hand," the lieutenant said. "I thought it was pretty cool at the time, but I had no idea how significant the ball was."

An usher then told the lieutenants that Mr. Griffey would like the ball because it was his 564th home run and it broke a tie with baseball great Reggie Jackson for 10th place on the career list.

"I thought about it for a minute," Lieutenant Franks said. "I thought about being in his shoes. I thought I would want the ball back if it were me. I told the usher that I would give the ball back, but I would like to meet Mr. Griffey."

After the game was over, the lieutenants met Mr. Griffey.

Lieutenant Franks said Mr. Griffey was a really nice guy and that he had a blast meeting the baseball star.

"He thought it was really cool that we were working to become pilots because he is working to become one as well," Lieutenant Franks said.

After talking for a while and snapping lots of pictures, Mr. Griffey signed a baseball bat and ball for Lieutenant Franks and a bat for Lieutenant McCants.

After Lieutenant Franks caught the ball, a sports auctioneer who was sitting by him, told the lieutenant that he could probably sell the ball for more than $20,000, Lieutenant Franks said.

"I didn't feel like being greedy. I just wanted to meet Ken Griffey Jr. for a great experience, a treasured memory and to have a great story to tell," Lieutenant Franks said.