A-Rod Finally Hits 600

We've been oh so tired, recovering from all the interviews we did at the Twins and Pins Charity Bowling Classic last week, so forgive us for ignoring you, our dear readers.

In the past week, we've let the trade deadline come and go, injuries have happened, and the sports news world was all abuzz because Alex Rodriguez was sitting at 599 homeruns for what seemed like an eternity. Well now, maybe baseball writers will finally have something better to talk about because he finally hit number 600.

Jim Thome Mashes Taters No. 573, 574

Congratulations to Jim Thome, who tied the legendary Harmon Killebrew for 10th on the All-Time Home Runs list with career longball No. 573 Saturday afternoon.

Jim Jam took right-hander Wade Davis deep in the bottom of the second inning to give the Minnesota Twins a 1-0 lead over the Tampa Bay Rays at Target Field.

Two innings later, on the very next swing, he launched home run No. 574 to take sole possession of 10th place on the All-Time Jacks list. Incredible. Then he hugged every single person in the dugout.

Junior Hits Another Milestone

Sitting on a full count with two men on in the second inning, Ken Griffey Jr. hit one deep into the right field seats off Houston Astros' Matt Albers today. It was his 569th career homer, moving him into a ninth-place tie with former respected first baseman, Rafael Palmeiro.

Albers was the 362nd pitcher to give up a homer to Griffey.

The 37-year-old outfielder has been on an absolute tear since moving back to the third spot, hitting safely in seven of those eight games where he's nailed four of his six longballs.

To celebrate Junior's most recent achievement, we're gonna bust out (and dust off) the old 64 and play some Slugfest.

In other Reds news, Edwin Encarnacion was optioned to AAA for sucking at hitting and fielding. The 24-year-old third baseman is hitting only .218 with one homer and 14 RBIs.

[Sporting News] | [Red Reporter]

Ken Griffey, Jr. Passes Milestone

Ken Griffey Jr. moved up on the career home runs list with one sweet swing, bumping Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson out of the top 10.

The Cincinnati Reds outfielder moved into 10th place on the career home runs list with his first longball of the season - the 564th of his career - aiding his club in a 10-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday night.

Mr. October called the slugger to congratulate him last fall when he tied him, so another call is expected soon.

"To pass him, sometimes it's mindboggling because I didn't think when I started playing this game 19 years ago that I'd be anywhere close to where I am now," Griffey said.

The lefty outfielder is hitting .273 so far this season with the one homer and 9 RBIs. Junior is a career .291 hitter and has played in 2291 games.

[Cincinnati Post]