A-Rod

Alex Rodriguez has the best shot of anyone to break Hank Aaron’s all-time home run record. In 23 seasons, Hammerin Hank hit 755 home runs. A-Rod is already up to 38 this season which gives him a lifetime total of 419. Even though he’s only slightly more than halfway to Aaron, his start is pretty amazing. Earlier this year, Rodriguez became the youngest player to hit his 400th home run. On his 30th birthday last month, A-Rod had more home runs, runs batted in, runs scored and hits than the respective all-time leaders did by their 30th birthdays.

Since the all-star break, A-Rod has actually picked up the pace. At this rate, he could hit another 10 home runs before the end of the season. If he then added another 46 next year, he’d move into a three-way tie with Willie Stargell and Stan Musial at 475. To be very optimistic, he could get his 500th homer before his 32nd birthday on July 27, 2007. Jimmie Foxx currently holds the mark for youngest to 500. Double-X did it just one month before his 33rd birthday. But Foxx’s career is a good reminder against projecting too optimistically into the future. Foxx’s home run output quickly dwindled and he ended with 534.

When A-Rod only hit 36 home runs last year, I thought that was only natural because Yankee Stadium is so much bigger than the Ballpark in Arlington. But this year, A-Rod has adjusted very well to the Bronx. He’s currently hitting .360 at home with 23 home runs. If he stays healthy (that’s a big if), Rodriguez could hold several all-time marks before his career is done.

Posted by Eddy on August 28th, 2005 at 10:39 pm

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