A-Rod Hits 600th Home Run

Photograph of Alex Rodriguez hitting his 600th career home run at Yankee Stadium by Kathy Willens/AP

Perhaps he was feeling sentimental: Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez notched his 600th career home run exactly three years after he hit his 500th home run (in those days, he was Texas Ranger). ESPN says of the lofty achievement, "At 35 years, 8 days, Rodriguez became the youngest player in history to join the 600 Club, and the seventh player in baseball history to reach the milestone. He raised a hand slightly in triumph as he rounded first base, then completed his home run trot. He joined an elite club that includes Barry Bonds (762), Henry Aaron (755), Babe Ruth (714), Willie Mays (660), Ken Griffey Jr. (630) and Sammy Sosa (609)."

The Yankees beat the Blue Jays, 5-1, and A-Rod said, "[I'm] defintely glad it's over and I defintely enjoyed that moment and enjoyed the win. We needed a win today ... we needed to stop the bleeding a little bit. That's a very good team over there." Hal Steinbrenner issued a statement on behalf of the Yankees, "Congratulations to Alex on this great achievement and on adding another highlight to Yankees history. We are especially proud he accomplished his feat as a Yankee and here before the most loyal fans in baseball.”

Fun facts: The Daily News says Rodriguez won't make money from this milestone, "He will start earning $6 million for noteworthy home runs starting at No. 660, which would tie him with Mays." Also, the next youngest player to hit 600 home runs is Babe Ruth, who was 36 years and 196 days.

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By Jen Chung in News on August 4, 2010 6:29 PM

Comments [rss]

Sketto

That shrug as he rounded first base is eactly the kind of thing that every dickhead ballplayer I've ever played against does. Great players play hard no matter who is watching. Guys like A-Rod just want to be watched.

Splicer

Barroid and A-Roid are cut from the same cloth as McGuire and Sosa. Bulked up cheaters.

whitecastlerock

was his cousin at the game today?

bashmentgirl

I hope baseball buffs don't forget to put an asterisk by A-Rod's name because he tested positive for steroids in 2003.

barkbike

Ummm, who is your fact checker? Alex Rodriguez hasn't been a Texas Ranger since 2003. He hit is 500th home run as a Yankee too.

jaycjay

Heh. That's funny... "fact checker" at Gothamist. Comment joke of the day!

PKMKII

You forgot to put the asterisk next to Bonds' number.

neckbeard

Um - you think A-Rod never did steroids?

Mr Mel

Hey Steinbrenner, give him a raise. How about another million or so a year?. Pass it on to the ticket buyers.

jaycjay

The Yankees profit heavily by having Rodriguez on the roster. They don't pay him solely to help win games, but to further the brand that's the most profitable in pro sports in this country and perhaps in the world. That's why, while he doesn't (as I understand it) get anything extra for hitting this mark, he will get $6 million each time he passes another of the historical home run leaders.

It's the 21st century. Time to accept that pro sports is a business.