Alex Rodriguez Hits Number 600

Get those hands up

On the three-year anniversary of his 500th home run, Alex Rodriguez homered off Shaun Marcum this afternoon in the Bronx.  The home run came on an 89 mph fastball over the middle of the plate on a 2-0 count, and Rodriguez didn’t miss, driving it over the center field wall and into Monument Park. In doing so, he became only the 7th player in baseball history to hit 600 home runs, joining Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, Ken Griffey Jr., and Sammy Sosa.  At 34 years old, Rodriguez is the youngest player ever to hit 600 home runs.

The home run ended a homerless drought for Alex.  To be honest, I don’t really care how many at-bats it has been since his last one.  Good hitters go through slumps, and the only reason this slump was notable is because 600 is a round number and history was waiting.  I’ve covered my feelings on Alex Rodriguez and 600 before, and I continue to tip my proverbial cap.  He’s one of the greatest players to ever play the game of baseball.  It’s been a pleasure watching him play for the Yankees for the past seven years, and I’m looking forward to the next seven years with the hopeful anticipation of seeing him break Barry Bonds’ record and win a few (read: many) more rings in the process.  Congrats, Alex.

All photos courtesy of Daylife.com and the Associated Press.