After homering in last night's game, New York Yankee third baseman Alex Rodriguez is sitting on the threshold of one of baseball's grandest milestones, the 600 HR Club. There's only six guys that have done it. With one more "A-bomb from A-Rod", Rodriguez will "officially" become a member of this prestigious group of players.
Or will he? The numbers say he will. The legend? That's another issue.
Remember when approaching 600 career home runs actually meant something? Not only for the player, but for the fans? It did for the last player who achieved the feat, Ken Griffey Jr.
When Junior blasted #600 on June 9, 2008 against Mark Hendrickson of the Florida Marlins, he was a member of his hometown Cincinnati Reds. For nearly all baseball fans, it felt legit. Griffey Jr. had never been tied into any type of PED related scandal. It just all felt real. I also felt gratifying.The same cannot be said for A-Rod. Due to speculation, reports, rumors and a subsequent book detailing the whole matter, Rodriguez addressed those and eventually admitted to using PEDs. He said he felt pressure to perform. Well, I'll add that ginormous contract the Texas Rangers inked with him as another reason. He had previously denied any use of PEDs and even went public with his denial in a Katie Couric interview for 60 Minutes.
Look at those that have joined the ranks of the career home run elite:
- Barry Bonds - 762
- Hank Aaron - 755
- Babe Ruth - 714
- Willie Mays - 660
- Ken Griffey Jr. - 630
- Sammy Sosa - 609
The "Home Run King" Barry Bonds has been dragged through the whole PED issue more than anyone. An explosive book was penned based on his alleged involvement. Sammy Sosa was alleged to be one of the names on the now infamous list of those that had a positive test result from the 2003 survey. Can't speak English?
Hearken back to when Bonds passed Aaron. Almost every single person invested in baseball (fan, writer, owner and on down the line) couldn't wait for the day when A-Rod would top Bonds as the new Home Run King. Up to that point in time, we hadn't heard anything about using steroids or any other banned substance. Now, baseball will have a "legit" Home Run King most said.
And now, A-Rod will ultimately add his "legacy" to this list.
Oh, he'll get 600 and most likely many, many more.
You know that song on Sesame Street "One of these things just doesn't belong here..."? I see two now, soon to be three.
It will be a shallow milestone to almost everyone. Except to A-Rod and his fans.
A milestone is still a milestone. A-Rod is also a steal away from joining the 600 home run-300 steal club which only Bonds and Mays are in.
ReplyDeletePEDs have been a part of the game for a long time. Is it fair to other players? No. But, is it fair to knock down A-Rod and his accomplishments? Only a little.
600 home runs is still an amazing accomplishment with our without PEDs.
I'm just cut from the old cloth, Cody. (I emphasize old.)
ReplyDeleteI will add this.
Over time, I think some may soften their stance on the whole PED issue, if some haven't already. There will also be a "changing of the guard" on those that have a vote for baseball immortality. PED use may not be judged so harshly. Based on that alone, I have no doubt that eventually some of those that have been marked and/or linked by/to the "steroid era" will be accepted. Only a naive person would think otherwise.