MIAMI --- Ken Griffey Jr. hit his 600th home run Monday night, completing his long ascent and becoming the sixth player in history to reach that milestone.

The Cincinnati outfielder homered off Florida lefty Mark Hendrickson in the first inning of the Reds' 9-4 victory against the Marlins. The 38-year-old homered with Jerry Hairston on third and one out.

"I don't think I touched any of the bases. I sort of floated around," Griffey said after launching a 3-1 pitch 413 feet into the right-field seats.

Controversy ensued in the stands after the blast. Justin Kimball, a 25-year-old from Miami, said he caught the home run ball, put it in a wool cap and then had the cap ripped from his hands. Kimball said someone ran off with the ball.

Police said they found the fan with the baseball and would look at video to see if Kimball's claims could be supported.

Griffey ended the game 1-for-4 with a strikeout and an intentional walk. He exited in the middle of the eighth.

One of baseball's most prolific sluggers before injuries began to take their toll, Griffey started the season with 593 home runs. It took 216 at-bats to make history -- his previous homer came May 31.