Saturday, May 31st was a day where history lied in the balance as the baseball world entered another name into the record books. Boston Red Sox outfielder Manny Ramirez became the 24th player to hit 500 home runs in their career, as he did so against the Orioles basically cementing him place in Cooperstown. Another player, one who has been on his way to the Hall-Of-Fame for years now, Ken Griffey Jr. hit his 599th home run and is one shy from immortal greatness.
Griffey Jr. is one home run shy of his 600th putting him in the same company as Barry Bonds, Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, and Sammy Sosa to do so. Griffey Jr. has been playing in the Majors since he was 19 for the Seattle Mariners and he has been hitting home runs ever since. Arguably the greatest baseball player ever to some people as he is still referred to when asked who has the sweetest swing in baseball. Unfortunately Junior has been riddled with injuries throughout his career and if not for those painful circumstances we should have been talking about 700 or 800 career home runs, right about now. Griffey Jr. will likely hit number 600 this week against the Philadelphia Phillies and pace himself closer to the top of the home run record. Currently Junior is 163 home runs away from Barry Bonds who holds the current record with 762 dingers, yet at age 38 that number might be out of reach. Then again with someone like Griffey Jr, and the home run swing that he possess if he plays another 6 years and averages 25 home runs a season give or take a few that would put him in range for Bonds' title, should Bonds not come back into the league.
Manny Ramirez was welcomed to the 500 club thanks in part to Chad Bradford and the Orioles, as there was a sea of Red Sox fans who made the short trip to see history. As Ramirez hit the ball he immediately knew it was gone and went into his pose. This time ill let it go, although he did pose for a good 4 hours. Ramirez who is 36 is projected to be around the 600-650 range when he is finished playing given his longevity and him being remarkably healthy through his career. Ramirez is the 12th youngest player to reach the mark and now is just 2 shy of tying Eddie Murray for 23rd all time. That is because Ramirez wasted no time depositing his 501st home run on Sunday in a 9-4 win against the Orioles.
Congratulations to both of the sluggers as we hopefully will see many, many more long balls dished out by them both.
1 comment:
Two of the greatest power hitters of all time reaching historic marks at same time, could ask for a better timing. Griffey has been one of my favorite baseball player regardless if he killed my team, Too bad he had so many injuries. With Manny you can argue about the way he does things but the fact of the matter is that he is one of the best power hitters of this era.
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