A-Rod still waiting for homer No. 600
Source: Agencies |
August 4, 2010, Wednesday
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THE numbers on the specially marked balls for Alex Rodriguez's at-bats must be getting up there - perhaps close to say 600.
The Yankees slugger's quest - and by now it is one - for membership in the exclusive 600-homer club extended into its 11th game on Monday with an 0-for-5 night against the Toronto Blue Jays.
"I thought I swung the bat better today. I had some pretty good pitches to hit," Rodriguez said after the Yankees' 6-8 loss. "The difference between 0 for 5 and 2 for 5 is small."
A-Rod's drive to become the youngest player and seventh overall to reach the milestone began after he homered off Kansas City reliever Robinson Tejeda on July 22 and has gone on for 48 plate appearances against four teams in three cities.
He's hitless in his last 14 at-bats and is 9 for 43 overall with eight RBI during the drought. The closest he has come to the homer is a couple of long fly balls that were caught in front of the warning track.
Most of the 47,034 fans at Yankee Stadium remained in their seats on Monday for one more chance to see him bat in the ninth, and they got it. But Rodriguez grounded to shortstop against Kevin Gregg to end the game.
"The way I'm swinging, it's probably going to take a while. Everybody get comfortable," Rodriguez said, smiling on Sunday.
Nearly a week past his 35th birthday, the three-time MVP needed 41 at-bats to hit his first homer this season and has just 16 home runs this year.
However, a stretch like this while approaching 600 is unusual. Babe Ruth separated 599 and 600 with one at-bat, Hank Aaron two. Barry Bonds' spell was eight, Sammy Sosa's was 13 and Ken Griffey Jr's 17, according to STATS LLC. Willie Mays went 21 homerless at-bats before his milestone shot.
The Yankees slugger's quest - and by now it is one - for membership in the exclusive 600-homer club extended into its 11th game on Monday with an 0-for-5 night against the Toronto Blue Jays.
"I thought I swung the bat better today. I had some pretty good pitches to hit," Rodriguez said after the Yankees' 6-8 loss. "The difference between 0 for 5 and 2 for 5 is small."
A-Rod's drive to become the youngest player and seventh overall to reach the milestone began after he homered off Kansas City reliever Robinson Tejeda on July 22 and has gone on for 48 plate appearances against four teams in three cities.
He's hitless in his last 14 at-bats and is 9 for 43 overall with eight RBI during the drought. The closest he has come to the homer is a couple of long fly balls that were caught in front of the warning track.
Most of the 47,034 fans at Yankee Stadium remained in their seats on Monday for one more chance to see him bat in the ninth, and they got it. But Rodriguez grounded to shortstop against Kevin Gregg to end the game.
"The way I'm swinging, it's probably going to take a while. Everybody get comfortable," Rodriguez said, smiling on Sunday.
Nearly a week past his 35th birthday, the three-time MVP needed 41 at-bats to hit his first homer this season and has just 16 home runs this year.
However, a stretch like this while approaching 600 is unusual. Babe Ruth separated 599 and 600 with one at-bat, Hank Aaron two. Barry Bonds' spell was eight, Sammy Sosa's was 13 and Ken Griffey Jr's 17, according to STATS LLC. Willie Mays went 21 homerless at-bats before his milestone shot.
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