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Alex Rodriguez hit career home run number 661 on Thursday night, giving him sole possession of fourth place all-time. The Yankees still haven’t agreed to pay him for the milestone homer that tied Willie Mays in fourth in the first place, but they won’t unless an independent arbitrator makes them, and who knows if or when that will happen. It’s the last milestone -- or “milestone,” if you’re a Yankees’ employee reading this -- that A-Rod will chase in 2015, though, as next up on the list is Babe Ruth at 714, and he’s maybe two more full seasons of dingers away from that figure.
“Maybe” because right now, after his year off thanks to a 162-game suspension, Rodriguez looks healthy and dangerous at the plate, like his old self. He’s batting .245/.351/.532, for his highest slugging percentage and OPS+ since he was just 33 years old back in 2009. There is a whole lot of season left in front of him, but he’s on pace for 42 homers -- another 35 dingers to get to 42 would give A-Rod 696, leaving him just 18 short of tying Ruth. Even if he falls off his pace a bit, so long as he keeps hitting well, he could put himself in a position to catch Ruth before 2016 is out.
It’s difficult to assume even that will happen, so beyond 714 is anyone’s guess. Rodriguez is under contract through 2017, so he’ll get his chances at moving further up the all-time list, but the Yankees are only going to stick with him in the lineup so long as he’s producing. Remember, it wasn’t all that long ago there were still very loud whispers that New York wanted to get rid of A-Rod before even seeing what he was capable of doing after his suspension. He’s helping them now, but he won’t get at-bats down the road just for the sake of making history.
- Let’s predict Bryce Harper’s career! Remember, not being Mike Trout doesn’t mean Bryce Harper is overrated or that he doesn’t deserve your adulation. It’s possible that no one in the history of the game is Mike Trout, and Bryce Harper could end up being better than the rest of that lengthy list.
- Jon Bois has started a new series called “Pretty Good,” where he will tell stories that are pretty good. The first episode is live, and it’s about the first-ever professional at-bat of a 35-year-old Mets rookie.
- Jake Marisnick, Astros’ centerfielder, made an unassisted double play. At first base.
- Geena Davis and Rosie O’Donnell got together for an A League of Their Own reunion, and yes, baseball was played.
- The Red Sox fired pitching coach Juan Nieves, and are currently debating between a few candidates to replace him. A new pitching coach won’t solve all of Boston’s problems on the mound, but a new voice might be needed to help turn this staff around.
- Here’s Matt Cain grabbing Michael Morse’s butt with feeling.
- Whether he’s officially recognized as such or not, Andruw Jones was a hall of fame player.
- What would the cost of an ace be for the Royals, should they decide to go shopping for one?
- MLB’s draft is a month away, and the Diamondbacks’ plan for the first overall pick is coming into focus.
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