First Petco homer back with Embrey

By: MIKE SULLIVAN - Staff Writer | Wednesday, March 24, 2004 10:34 PM PST ∞

SAN DIEGO ---- Wally Moeller retrieved the first home-run ball ever hit at Petco Park. He immediately knew it was a prized possession. But he also had an inner feeling that there was a more appropriate owner for the baseball. So on Wednesday morning, he gave the ball to San Diego State first baseman Rielly Embrey, who forever will be known for hitting the first home run at the new ballpark.

Moeller received an autographed baseball from Embrey in exchange for the ball that the left-handed hitting Embrey deposited into the right-field seats on March 11.

"At first I was going to keep it," said Moeller, a retired electrician. "I said, 'This is the first home run at Petco. It'd be a great thing to have.'

"Two days afterwards, I found out that (Embrey) is a 4.0 student. He's been getting great grades through grade school, high school and college. I said, 'This is an easy choice.' "

Embrey, a Poway High graduate, said receiving the ball from Moeller supplies the finishing touches to a memorable experience. He said he instantly knew hitting the first home run ---- off Brett Cooley of the University of Houston ---- was an unforgettable occasion, but he's been stunned by the attention that followed.

"I was kind of surprised with the excitement over the ball," Embrey said. "That whole weekend was so great. It was kind of a blur. So many good things were happening and to end it by getting the ball back from Wally caps off a great experience.

"Wally's a quality guy. It's really great that he's the guy who got it and decided to give it back."

Embrey said he will temporarily keep the ball in his possession. He also plans to loan it to the baseball program and will allow the ball to be displayed in the school's baseball museum, located underneath the third-base stands.

Aztecs coach Tony Gwynn wasn't the least bit surprised by Embrey's decision.

"I think I'd keep that one in the house," said Gwynn, chuckling. "But that's the kind of kid Rielly is. He wants to share it. He's always thinking of the other guy before he thinks of himself."

Embrey, a senior, is batting .310 this season with three homers and a team-leading 23 RBIs.

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