words_Nick Engvall

Baseball’s home run records have been a thing of much controversy in the last decade. Currently at seventh on the all-time home run list behind Sammy Sosa, Ken Griffey Jr., Willie Mays, Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron and Barry Bonds, A-Rod will undoubtedly add his name to the elusive 600 home run club any day now.

At just 34 years of age, Rodriguez has the best shot of current players to catch all-time home run leader, and good friend, Barry Bonds. Bonds finished his career with 762 after 22 seasons in the league. If Rodriguez continues to play another six years, which would match the 22 years that Bonds played, he’d need to average about 30 home runs a season to catch Bonds. Thursday’s blast was his 16th of the season, and A-Rod seems to be more patient at the plate this year than ever before.

With the Yankees just three full games ahead of the Tampa Bay Rays, New York will need A-Rod to contribute in more ways than just hitting home runs, and with his new found patience, his home run production may take a back seat in order to win back-to-back World Series titles. Rodriguez was met with mixed reactions from fans last night in his final at bat, of course the fans were hoping for 600, but A-Rod’s RBI double added some extra insurance for the Yankees. It seems fans were just reminiscing of Alex’s last monumental home run achievement. When A-Rod found himself looking for number 500 he went into a terrible 10 game hitting slump.

This year is different though, A-Rod won’t keep the fans waiting long. He’s picked up the pace in the second half of July, and has always fared well against the Kansas City Royals. In fact, against tonight’s starting pitcher Brian Bannister, Rodriguez has 3 home runs in only 7 at bats.

image via yahoo