David Ortiz – newest member of 500-HR Club
On September 3, 2015, Boston Red Sox DH David Ortiz became just the 27th MLB player to collect 500 home runs – leading off the fifth inning of a game at Tampa Bay with a 432-foot solo shot to right-center off the Rays’ Matt Moore. It was the 39-year-old Ortiz’ second home run of the game, making him one of just four players to collect number 500 in a multi-homer effort (joining Harmon Killebrew, Mark McGwire and Albert Pujols). Ortiz also had a three-run homer and a single in the game (before being lifted for a pinch runner in the seventh), and is one of just three players to collect three hits in their 500th home run game (joining Harmon Killebrew and Alex Rodriguez). Ortiz’ landmark long ball got BBRT thinking about (and researching) the 500-HR Club and its elite membership. Here’s are the highlights of what I found – followed by a brief look at each of the 500-HR Club’s 27 members – the day they hit number 500, their career stats and a few facts that make each of them unique.
- Among the 500-HR Club’s 27 members, 15 hit right-handed, ten hit left- handed and two were switch-hitters.
- The Club had only one member (Babe Ruth, who hit his 500th in 1929) until the 1940s. By decade here’s how many players reached the 500 mark: 1940s – 2; 1960s – 5; 1970s – 4; 1980s – 2; 1990s – 2; 2000s – 9; 2010-15 – 2.
- The 500-HR Club members captured a total of 87 league HR titles, with Babe Ruth leading the way with twelve.
- Rafael Palmeiro, Frank Thomas and Gary Sheffield are the only members to never lead their league in homers.
- The 27 Club members were selected as All Stars in a cumulative 292 seasons. (Hank Aaron is at the top with 21 All Star seasons – Babe Ruth had the fewest at two, but the All Star Game wasn’t established until 1933, in the 20th of Ruth’s 22 MLB seasons).
- Two-thirds (18) of the Club members won at least one league MVP Award, and they won a cumulative 39 MVP recognitions. (Barry Bonds is on top with seven, with three MVPs each for Jimmie Foxx, Mickey Mantle, Mike Schmidt, Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols.)
- Ted Williams was the oldest upon reaching 500 HRs, at age 41 years, 291 days. (Remember, Williams lost nearly four full seasons to military service – WW II and Korea).
- The youngest player to reach 500 HRs is Alex Rodriguez (32 years, 8 days).
- Mark McGwire reached 500 home runs in the fewest at bats of any player – 5,487. The only other player to reach that mark in less than 6,000 at bats is Babe Ruth (5,801).
- Eddie Murray took the most at bats to reach 500 dingers – 11,095.
- Eddie Murray is the only member of the 500-HR Club to never hit 40 homers in a season (career-high of 33 in 1983).
LUMBER AND LEATHER
The 500-HR Club is not only about power hitting. Twenty-four of the 27 members of the 500-HR Club were active after the Rawlings Gold Glove Award was established – and more than half (13) were honored with a Gold Glove for their fielding. Those 13 players earned a combined 57 Gold Gloves – led by Willie Mays with 12. Here’s a list of players with 500 or more homers and at least three Gold Gloves.
Willie Mays … 12 GG
Mike Schmidt … 10
Ken Griffey, Jr. … 10
Barry Bonds … 8
Hank Aaron … 3
Eddie Murray … 3
Rafael Palmeiro … 3
- First base was the most popular position at the time of the 500th – with nine players starting the landmark game at first. (Some, like Mickey Mantle, Eddie Mathews and Ernie Banks made their reputations at other spots – CF, 3B, SS.)
- While no player has hit number 500 while at the second base or shortstop position, Mike Schmidt did move from 3B to shortstop in his 500th home run game. He started the game at 3B, hit number 500 in the top of the ninth and moved to shortstop in the bottom of the inning.
- Five players hit their 500th from the Designated Hitter position.
- Gary Sheffield is the only player to hit number 500 as a pinch-hitter.
- Jim Thome is the only player whose 500th home run was a game-winning, walk-off blast.
- Only four players nailed number 500 in a multi-homer game (Harmon Killebrew, Mark McGwire, Albert Pujols, David Ortiz.)
- No one has ever hit a Grand Slam for HR number 500. Fifteen of the 27 historic dingers were solo shots; five were two-run homers; seven were worth three tallies.
- Fourteen number 500s were hit in home games, 13 on the road.
- The team that boasted the newest 500-HR Club member won the game 18 times (nine losses).
- The season count at the time of the 500th HR achievement ranges from the 14th season (four players) to the 22nd (one). The 16th season seemed to be the charm, with the most players (eight) reaching 500 in their sixteenth campaign.
- Ten of the 27 club members were either 34- or 35-years-old when they hit number 500.
- Barry Bonds hit the most home runs in the season he reached 500 with 73 (.328-73-137). The fewest HRs in the season when a player reached 500 is ten – Gary Sheffield (.276-10-43) and Eddie Murray. (.357-10-34).
- Barry Bonds is the only player to belong to the 500-HR Club and the 500-Stolen Base Club.
- Babe Ruth is the only member of the 500-HR Club who is also a twenty-game winner as a pitcher – 23-12 in 1916, 24-13 in 1917.
- Nine members of the 500-HR Club have career average of .300 or better: Ted Williams (.344); Babe Ruth (.342); Jimmie Foxx (.325); Manny Ramirez (.312); Albert Pujols (.312); Hank Aaron (.305); Mel Ott (.304); Willie Mays (.302); Frank Thomas (.301).
Now, here’s a closer look at the 500-HR Club members, in the order they joined.
1920s
Babe Ruth, New York Yankees – August 11, 1929
Babe Ruth hit his 500th long ball as his Yankees lost to the Cleveland Indians (in Cleveland). The 34-year-old Ruth started in RF that day, batting fourth. He went two-for-four scoring twice – hitting a single and a solo home run. Ruth was in his 16th MLB season. He would play six more years in the majors.
Babe Ruth’s stats in 1929: .345-46-154 (the 46 HRs led the AL). Career stats: 342-714-2,214. Ruth was a twelve-time league leader in HRs, who led AL with as few as 11 (1918) and as many as his career-high 60 (1927). He was a two-time All Star (the first AS game was in 1933) and one-time MVP.
Babe Ruth factoid: Babe Ruth is the only member of the 500-HR club who was also a twenty-game winner as a pitcher (23-12 in 1916 and 24-13 in 1917, both for the Red Sox).
1940s
Jimmie Foxx, Boston Red Sox – September 24, 1940
Foxx, who spent most of his 20-year major league career with the Athletics and Red Sox, was in his 16th season when he hit number 500. It came in a 16-8 Boston win at Philadelphia (first game of a doubleheader). The 32-year-old Foxx started at 1B (batting fourth). He went two-for-five in the game, lacing a single and a solo homer. He ended the contest with two runs scored and one RBI. Foxx was a four-time league HR leader, with a high of 58 in 1932.
Jimmie Foxx’ 1940 stats: .297-36-119. Career stats: .325-534-1,922. Fox was an All Star in nine seasons and a league MVP three times.
Jimmie Foxx factoid: Foxx won the Triple Crown as a Philadelphia Athletic in 1933 – going .356-48-163. It was the only year that featured a Triple Crown winner in both leagues – and both players played in Philadelphia. The Phillies’ Chuck Klein won the NL Triple Crown at .368-28-120.
Mel Ott, New York Giants – August 1, 1945
Mel Ott, starting in RF and batting third, went two-for-four with a single and his 500th career home run (two runs scored, two RBI) – a solo shot – as the Giants topped the Braves 9-2 in New York. Ott, 36-years-old at the time, was in the 20th of 22 MLB seasons. Ott was a six-time league HR leader, with a high of 42 in 1929.
Mel Ott’s 1945 stats: .308-21-79. Career stats: .304-511-1,860. Ott was an All Star in 11 of 22 seasons.
Mel Ott factoid: Ott was the first NL player to reach 500 home runs.
1960s
Ted Williams, Boston Red Sox – June 17, 1960
Teddy Ballgame would have gotten to 500 a lot sooner if he hadn’t lost all or part of five seasons to military service (1943, 44, 45, 52, 53). As it was, he popped number 500 in his last (19th) season at age 41. Williams hit his landmark shot against the Cleveland Indians (in Cleveland). The third-inning, two–run blast gave the Red Sox a 3-1 lead, and was the final scoring of the game. Williams, who started in LF and batted third, went one-for-three with one run scored and two RBI. Williams was lifted for a pinch runner in the seventh. Williams was a four-time league leader in HRs, and hit his career-high of 43 in 1949.
Ted Williams’ 1960 stats: .316-29-72. Career stats: .344-521-1,839. He was an All Star in 17 of his 19 seasons and a two-time AL MVP.
Ted Williams factoid: Ted Williams is one of only 45 players to homer in their final MLB at bat – and the only member of the 500 club to do so.
Willie Mays, SF Giants – September 13, 1965
The Say Hey Kid rapped home run number 500 against the Houston Astros (in Houston), as the Giants topped the Texas team 5-1. The solo shot was Mays’ 47th of the season, and he went one-for-four before being lifted in the bottom of the ninth. Mays started the game in CF, batting third. The 500th dinger came in the 35-year-old Mays’ 14th season and he went on to play eight more years in the majors. Mays was a four-time league leader in HRs, and hit a high of 52 in 1965.
Willie Mays’ 1965 stats: 317-52-112 (the 52 HRs lead the league). Career stats: 302-660-1,903. Mays was an All Star in 20 seasons, and NL MVP twice.
Willie Mays factoid: Willie Mays flashed leather as well as lumber, winning 12 consecutive Gold Gloves (1957-68).
Mickey Mantle, New York Yankees – May 14. 1967
The 35-year-old Mantle was in his 17th (and second to last) MLB season when he cracked his 500th home run (hitting left-handed) – as his Yankees topped the Orioles 6-5 in New York. Mantle started at 1B and batted third. His home run was a seventh-inning solo shot and he finished the game two-for-four (he also had a single), with two runs scored and one RBI. Mantle was a four-time league HR leader, with a high of 54 HRs in 1961 (when Roger Maris led the AL with 61 HRs).
Mickey Mantle’s 1967 stats: .245-22-55. Career stats: .298-536-1,509. Mantle was an All Star in 16 seasons and a three-time AL MVP.
Mickey Mantle factoid: Mantle hit 372 regular season home runs left-handed and 164 right-handed.
Eddie Mathews, Houston Astros – July 14, 1967
35-year-old Eddie Mathews, who built a reputation as the Braves’ 3B, was starting at 1B for the Houston Astros (batting fifth) when he hit his 500th career long ball. It was a three-run shot in the Astros’ 8-6 victory over the Giants in San Francisco. Mathews also had a single in the game – going two-for-four with one run scored and three RBI. Number 500 came in Mathews’ 16th of 17 MLB seasons. Mathews was a two-time league HR leader, and hit a career-high 47 dingers in 1953.
Eddie Mathews’ 1967 stats: .236-16-57. Career stats: .271-512-1,453. Mathews was an All Star in nine of his 17 seasons.
Eddie Mathews factoid: Mathews was the only player to play for the Braves in Boston, Milwaukee and Atlanta.
Hank Aaron, Atlanta Braves – July 14, 1968
“The Hammer” hit his 500th as the Braves topped the Giants 4-2 in Atlanta. Aaron started the game in RF, batting third and went two-for-three (three-run home run and single) in four at bats, scoring once and driving in three. Aaron’s was 34-years-old and in his 15th MLB season when he hit number 500. He played eight more seasons, finishing his career with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1976. Aaron was a four-time league HR leader, and hit a career high 45 HRs in 1962.
Hank Aaron’s 1968 stats: 287-29-86. Career stats: 305-755-2,297. Aaron was an All Star in 21 of his 23 seasons and the NL MVP in 1957.
Hank Aaron factoid: Hank Aaron and Braves’ 3B Eddie Mathews (another member of the 500-HR Club) hit more home runs while teammate (863) than any other pair of MLB teammates – edging the Babe Ruth/Lou Gehrig combination by four round trippers.
1970s
Ernie Banks, Chicago Cubs – May 12, 1970
Ernie Banks rapped his 500th home run, fittingly, in a Cubs’ victory (4-3 over the Braves) at Wrigley Field. Banks, the prototype power-hitting shortstop for most of his career was 39-years-old and playing 1B (batting sixth). His home run was a two-run shot and his only hit in the game (one-for-three, one run, two RBI). Banks led the NL in home runs twice, and hit a high of 47 in 1958. He was in his 18th of 19 MLB seasons when he hit number 500.
Ernie Banks’ 1970 stats: .252-12-44. Career Stats: .275-512-1,636. Banks was an All Star in 11 of 19 seasons and a two-time NL MVP.
Ernie Banks factoid(s): Banks was the first NL player to win back-to-back MVP Awards (1958-59) – despite playing for a losing Cubs’ team in both seasons. Despite earning his reputation as a shortstop, Banks played more games at 1B (1,259) than shortstop (1,125).
Harmon Killebrew, Twins – August 10, 1971
Harmon Killebrew drove in all the Twins’ runs in a 4-3 loss to the Orioles in Minnesota – banging out his 500th and 501st round trippers. Batting third and playing first base, Killebrew hit number 500 (a solo shot) in the bottom of the first. He added a two-run shot in the sixth and a single in the eighth – finishing the game three-for-four with two runs scored and three RBI. The 35-year-old Killebrew was in his 18th (of 22) MLB seasons. Killebrew was a six-time league HR leader, and hit a career-high 49 round trippers in 1964.
Harmon Killebrew’s 1971 stats: .254-28-119. Career stats: .256-573-1,584. Killebrew was an All Star in 11 seasons and the 1969 AL MVP.
Harmon Killebrew factoid: In 1968, Killebrew became the first player to be named an MLB All Star at three different positions in his career – 1B, 3B, LF. (Pete Rose later surpassed “Killer,” playing 1B, 2B, 3B, LF and RF in All Star competition.)
Frank Robinson, Orioles – September 13, 1971
Frank Robinson started in RF (batting fourth) for the Orioles in the game that saw his 500th round tripper – a 9-1 win over the Tigers in Baltimore. The 36-year-old Robinson went two-for-four in the game (a three-run homer and a single), scoring twice and collecting three RBI. Robinson was in his 16th of 21 MLB seasons. Robinson won one league HR title, when he hit his career-high 49 HRs in 1966. That same season he won the AL Triple Crown and MVP Award.
Frank Robinson’s 1971 stats: 281-28-99. Career stats: .294-586-1,812. Robinson was an All Star in 12 seasons and a two-time MVP (once in each league).
Frank Robinson factoid: Frank Robinson captured just about every MLB award possible: NL Rookie of the Year (1956); NL MVP (1961): AL MVP (1966); World Series MVP (1966); All Star Game MVP (1971); AL Manager of the Year (1989). He was also a Triple Crown (Average-HRs-RBI) winner (1966) and Gold Glover (1958).
Willie McCovey, San Francisco Giants – June 30, 1978
The forty-year-old McCovey hit number 500 in the second game of a doubleheader against the Braves in Atlanta. McCovey went two-for-two (a double and a solo homer) before being lifted for a pinch runner in the fourth inning. He started the game at 1B, batting cleanup. The Braves eventually won the game 10-9. McCovey scored once and drove in one. Big Mac was a three-time league HR leader, and hit a high of 45 in 1969. McCovey’s 500th came in his 20th of 22 MLB seasons.
Willie McCovey’s 1978 stats: .228-12-64. Career stats: .270-521-1,555. McCovey was an All Star in six seasons and the 1969 NL MVP.
Willie McCovey factoid: Despite playing only 52 games in his rookie season (1959), McCovey won the Rookie of the Year Award (hitting .354 with 13 homers and 38 RBI in just 192 at bats).
1980s
Reggie Jackson, California Angels – September 17, 1984
Reggie Jackson hit his 500th HR in a 10-1 loss to the Royals in Anaheim. Jackson started at DH and batted sixth – going one-for-three with a solo home run, his 22nd round tripper of the season. The 38-year old Jackson was in his 18th season when he hit number 500. He played three more campaigns. Jackson was a four-time league HR leader, and hit a high of 47 in 1969.
Reggie Jackson’s 1984 stats: .223-25-81. Career stats: .263-563-1,702. Jackson was an All Star in 14 seasons and the 1973 AL MVP
Reggie Jackson factoid. Jackson holds the MLB record for strikeouts, 2,597.
Mike Schmidt, Phillies – April 18, 1987
Mike Schmidt notched his 500th round tripper in an 8-6 Phillies’ win over the Pirates (in Pittsburgh). The 37-year-old Schmidt started the game at 3B (batting cleanup) and finished at shortstop. His three-run home run in the top of the ninth gave the Phillies (who were trailing 6-5) their eventual two-run victory. Schmidt went one-for-four in the game, scoring twice and driving in three. 2008 was Schmidt’s 16th MLB season, and he went on to play two more years. Schmidt was an eight-time league leader in home runs, and hit a high of 48 in 1980.
Mike Schmidt’s 1987 stats: .293-35-113. Career stats: .267-548-1,595. Schmidt was an All Star in 12 seasons and a three-time NL MVP.
Mike Schmidt factoid: An eight-time NL home run leader, Mike Schmidt also won ten Gold Gloves – and won a Gold Glove in six of his HR-leading campaigns.
1990s
Eddie Murray, Baltimore Orioles – September 6, 1996
Switch-hitting Eddie Murray was DH-ing and batting second for the Orioles when he hit number 500 – a solo shot (in a one-for-four day) against the Tigers in a 5-4 home loss. It was fitting that Murray, who spent the best seasons of his 21-year MLB career with the Orioles hit it as an “O” in Baltimore – but that was not a sure thing. The forty-year-old Murray has started the season with the Indians, but was traded to Baltimore on July 21 (for pitcher Kent Mercker). Murray was in his 20th MLB season when he stroked number 500. Murray led league in home runs once (22 in the strike-shortened 1981 season), and hit career high 33 home runs in 1983.
Eddie Murray’s 1996 stats: .257-10-34. Career stats: .287-504-1,917. Murray was an All Star in eight seasons.
Eddie Murray factoid: Murray is the only member of the 500-HR Club to never reach 40 homers in a season (high of 33).
Mark McGwire, Cardinals – August 5, 1999
On August 5, 1999, the Saint Louis Cardinals lost to Padres 10-3 in Saint Louis, but the home town fans did get to see Mark McGwire’s 500th (and 501st) MLB home run(s). Both were solo shots, number 500 in the third inning and 501 in the eighth. The 35-year-old McGwire started at 1B, batting third. The two homers were his only hits in four at bats. They were his 43rd and 44th of a season in which he would hit 65 round trippers – after pounding 70 in 1998. HR number 500 came in McGwire’s 14th (of 16) MLB seasons. McGwire was a four-time league HR leader, with a high of 70 in 1998.
Mark McGwire’s 1999 stats: .278-65-147 (leading the league in home runs and RBI). Career stats: .263-583-1,414. McGwire was an All Star in 12 seasons.
Mark McGwire factoid; No one reached 500 home runs in fewer at bats than McGwire (5,487).
2000’s
Barry Bonds. SF Giants – April 17, 2001
Bonds hit number 500 (a two-run shot) in a 3-2 win over the Dodgers in San Francisco. Bonds started in LF, batting third. He went one-for-four that day, with one run and two RBI. It was the 36-year-old Bonds’ 16th MLB season – and he went on to play six more campaigns. His 500th was Bonds’ sixth home run in a season when he would hit an MLB-record 73 round trippers. Bonds was a two-time league HR leader, with a high of 73 (MLB single-season record) in 2001.
Barry Bonds’ 2001 stats: .328-73-137. Career stats: .298-762-1,996. Bonds was an All Star in 13 seasons and the NL MVP a record seven times.
Barry Bonds factoid: Barry Bonds is the only player with 500+ home runs (762) and 500+ steals (514).
Sammy Sosa, Cubs – April 4, 2003
Sammy Sosa hit his 500th on the road, as his Cubs lost to the Reds 10-9.The solo shot was his only hit in four at bats (one run, one RBI). The 500th HR came in the 34-year-old Sosa’s 15th season and he played three more campaigns. Sosa played RF and batted third in the contest. Sosa twice led his league in HRs, and hit a career-high 66 in 1998.
Sammy Sosa’s 2003 stats: .279-40-103. Career stats: .273-609-1,667. Sosa was an All Star in seven seasons and the 1998 NL MVP.
Sammy Sosa factoid: Sosa three times topped 60 home runs in a season – but did not lead his league in any of those seasons. Sosa hit 66 HR’s in 1998 (Mark McGwire hit 70). 63 in 1999 (McGwire hit 65) and 64 in 2001 (Barry Bonds hit 73.) Sosa did lead the NL in home runs in 2000 (50) and 2002 (49).
Rafael Palmeiro, Texas Rangers, May 11, 2003
The Rangers scored big at home on the day Rafael Palmeiro hit number 500 – topping the Indians 17-10. Palmeiro’s home run was a a three-run shot. Palmeiro, playing first base and hitting fourth, also had a double in his five at bats (two runs scored, three RBI). Palmeiro was 38-years-old and in his 18th of 20 MLB seasons when he connected for number 500. He never led his league in HRs, and hit a high of 47 in 1999 and 2001.
Rafael Palmeiro’s 2003 stats: .260-38-112. Career stats: .288-569-1,835. Palmeiro was a four-time All Star.
Rafael Palmeiro factoid: Rafeal Palmeiro has the most career home runs of any player without a HR title to his credit.
Ken Griffey, Jr., Seattle Mariners – June 20, 2004
Ken Griffey, Jr. hit his 500th home run against the Cardinals – as his Reds topped the Redbirds 6-0 in Saint Louis. The 34-year-old Griffey started the game in CF, batting clean-up. He went one-for-three (solo home run), scoring one and driving in two. The 500th HR came in Griffey’s 16th MLB season, and he played a total of 22 years in the major leagues. Griffey was a four-time league HR leader, and hit a high of 56 in 1997 and 1998.
Ken Griffey, Jr.’s 2004 stats:.253-20-60. Career stats: .284-630-1,836. Griffey was an All Star in 13 seasons and the 1997 AL MVP.
Ken Griffey, Jr. factoid. On September 14, 1990, the Seattle Mariners faced off against the Angels in Anaheim, with the Mariners’ Ken Griffey, Sr. in LF and Ken Griffey, Jr, in RF. The father-son combination was batting two and three in the order. In the first inning, they made history, becoming the only father-son combination to his back-to-back home runs in an MLB game. A “by the way” piece of trivia. The Griffey’s shared first name is George – George Kenneth Griffey, Sr. & Jr.
Frank Thomas, Toronto Blue Jays – June 28, 2007
The Big Hurt, who gained fame with the White Sox (winning consecutive AL MVP Awards in 1993-94), hit home run number 500 as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays. It came in an 8-5 Toronto loss to the Twins in Minnesota. Thomas was the Jays’ DH in the game (batting fifth). The 39-year-old slugger (in his 18th of 19 MLB seasons) went two-for-four (double and three-run homer). Thomas never led his league in HRs, and hit a career-high 43 in 2000.
Frank Thomas’ 2007 stats: .277-26-95. Career stats: .301-521-1,704. Frank Thomas was an All Star in five seasons and a two-time AL MVP.
Frank Thomas factoid: Thomas is one of only three players with 500+ homers to never lead his league in round trippers. Rafeal Palmeiro and Gary Sheffield are the others.
Alex Rodriguez, Yankees – August 4, 2007
Alex Rodriguez hit number 500 as the Yankees topped the Kansas City Royals 16-2 in New York. The 32-year-old A-Rod started at 3B, hitting fourth. He was three-for-four (two singles and a three-run homer) when he was replaced in the top of the eighth inning. His scored three and drove in three in the game. The landmark round tripper came in Rodriguez’ 14th MLB season. He is still active in 2016. A-Rod has led his league in home runs five times, and hit a career-high 57 in 2002.
Alex Rodriguez’ 2007 stats: .314-54-156. Career stats (through 2015): .297-687-2,055. Rodriguez has been an All Star in 14 seasons and is a three-time AL MVP.
Alex Rodriguez factoid: August 4 is a good day for A-Rod. On August 4, 2007, he became the youngest player to reach 500 home runs (32 years, 8 days). On August 4, 2010, he became the youngest to reach 600 home runs. (35 years 8 days).
Jim Thome, White Sox – September 16, 2007
Jim Thome, starting at DH for the White Sox (in Chicago), hit number 500 in a 9-7 win over the Angels. The 37-year-old Thome was in his 17th season of a 22-year MLB career. Thome went one-for-five in the game (a two-run homer). His 500th long ball may have been the most dramatic on this list – a walk-off two-run shot in the bottom of the ninth that capped a White Sox comeback from a 6-0 deficit. Thome won one league HR crown, and hit a high of 52 HRs in 2002.
Jim Thome’s 2007 stats: 275-35-96. Career stats: .276-612-1,699. Thome was an All Star in five seasons.
Jim Thome factoid; Jim Thome is one of only two players with two post-season Grand Slam homers (Shane Victorino is the other).
Manny Ramirez, Boston Red Sox – May 31, 2008
The Red Sox were on the road (at Baltimore) when Manny Ramirez hit number 500 (in a 6-3 Red Sox’ victory). The 36-year-old Ramirez (he celebrated his birthday the day before) started in LF and went one for five (solo home run) with one run scored and one RBI. Ramirez was in his 16th of 19 MLB seasons at the time. Ramirez won one HR title, and had a high of 45 round trippers in 1998.
Manny Ramirez’ 2008 stats: .332-37-121. Career stats: .312-555-1,831. Ramirez was a 12-time All Star.
Manny Ramirez Factoid: Ramirez is one of only two players to be traded in the same season he joined the 500-HR club – going to the Dodgers in a three-way deal on July 31, 2008. (The other is Eddie Murray.)
Gary Sheffield, New York Mets – April 17, 2009
Like Ted Williams, Sheffield launched home run number 500 in his final (22nd) MLB season. Sheffield was 40-years-old at the time and playing for the Mets (his eighth MLB team). Sheffield’s home run came as a pinch hitter in the bottom of the seventh inning in a Mets’ home game against the Brewers. His solo shot tied the game (eventually won by the Mets) at four. It was Sheffield’s first home run for the Mets. Sheffield never led his league in home runs. He hit a career high 43 in 2000.
Gary Sheffield’s 2009 stats: .276-10-43. Career stats: .292-509-1,676. Sheffield was an All Star in nine seasons.
Gary Sheffield factoid: Sheffield is the only player to hit home run number 500 as a pinch hitter. A “by the way” piece of trivia. Sheffield was released by the Tigers in March of 2009 – while sitting on 499 career homers – and signed by the Mets.
2010s
Albert Pujols, Los Angeles Angels – April 22, 2014
At age 34, Albert Pujols – playing 1B and batting third – hit his 499th and 500th home runs as his Angels beat the Nationals 7-2 in Washington. He got started early, with a three-run shot in the first inning for number 499 and added a two-run homer in the fifth for the historic number 500. He ended the day two-for-four with two runs scored and five RBI. Pujols has twice led his league in HRs, and hit a high of 49 in 2006.
Albert Pujols’ 2014 stats: .272-28-105. Career stats (through 2015): .312-560-1,698. Pujols has been an All Star ten times and is a three-time NL MVP.
Pujols’ factoid: In his second season with the Cardinals (2002), Pujols played first base, third base, shortstop, left field, right field and DH.
David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox – September 12, 2015
Boston’s “Big Papi” David Ortiz hit his 500th career long ball against the Tampa Bay Rays – as his Red Sox topped the Rays 10-4 in Tampa. The 39-year-old (in his 19th MLB season) started at DH, batting sixth – and collected two home runs in the game (his 499th and 500th). Number 499 was a three-run shot in the first inning, while number 500 was a solo shot in the fifth. Ortiz is a one-time league HR leader, and hit a career high 54 in 2006. Ortiz is still active in 2016.
David Ortiz’ 2015 stats: .273-37-108. Career stats (through 2015): .284-503-1,641. Ortiz has been an All Star in nine seasons.
David Ortiz’ factoid: David Ortiz has 446 homers as a DH (the most all-time at the position),
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