Red Sox Manny Ramirez Joins 500 Home Run Club
The Boston Red Sox helped usher in a new 500 Home Run club member this weekend, as outfielder Manny Ramirez clubbed his 500th and 501st home runs against the Baltimore Orioles.
Manny Ramirez trots around bases after 500th home run
The historic 500th home run came against the Orioles Chad Bradford, who up until Saturday night, had given up very few home runs in the past 2 years. Manny had been swinging early in the count for several days, trying to be aggressive and to reach the milestone, but it was against Bradford, when Ramirez finally came through.
“I’m happy, you know, about everything I accomplished in life,” Ramirez said afterward. “Not everybody has the chance to go and get to 500. I’m just proud to do it.”
Manny Ramirez becomes only the 24th player in MLB history to reach the 500 home run mark. Ramirez had been trying to reach the milestone for several weeks – he was at 496 on April 19th and took approximately 34 games to 500.
With the feat, Manny also joined another illustrious group:
The 500-home run club has only two dozen members, but Ramirez also joined an even smaller fraternity. He is only the seventh player in baseball history with 500 homers, 1,500 RBIs, 1,000 walks, 475 doubles and a .300 batting average. The others are Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Mel Ott, Babe Ruth, Frank Thomas and Ted Williams.
Once the monkey was off his back, Ramirez quickly notched home run number 501 on Sunday, leading the Red Sox to a sweep over the rival Orioles.
Fellow Red Sox players were ecstatic for Manny Ramirez after he reached the 500 home run mark. He received greetings & handshakes, as well as high praise from current and former teammates. Despite the game being played in Camden Yards (Baltimore), Ramirez also received quite a bit of support from the fans as well.
While many detractors have labeled Manny as lazy and/or an uncaring superstar, it’s clear that they just don’t know the real guy, as evidenced by recent statements and reactions from his teammates and coaches. We’re witnessing one of the greatest hitters in baseball history – we just need to pay more attention…
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The Cincinnati Reds are also hoping for a record-setting event soon, as Ken Griffey Jr. approaches his 600th home run. Griffey will become only the 6th player in MLB history to hit 600 once he reaches it.
Griffey Jr. hit his 599th home run on Saturday, in a victory over the Atlanta Braves.
With 610 home runs, Griffey will pass Sammy Sosa for 5th all-time; Sosa sits at 609. Willie Mays is next on the home run list w/ 660, though it’s doubtful Ken Griffey Jr. could catch up before (even) next season is over.