A-Rod makes history with his 40th home run in 2001

A-Rod signs multi-year deal with Radio Shack.

A-Rod makes history with his 40th home run.

Joins Hall of Famer Ernie Banks in the record books.

Written by Manuel Ortiz, Latinosportslegends.com

August 29, 2001 -- Dominican shortstop, Alex "A-Rod" Rodriguez put himself with elite company when he hit his 40th home run last night against the Minnesota Twins.

Rodriguez became the second shortstop in major league history to hit 40 home runs in four straight seasons. Only Hall of Famer Ernie Banks is the other shortstop to accomplish that feat. Banks did it from 1957-60.

Rodriguez also became the ninth player overall to do it: Babe Ruth did it 7 times; Ken Griffey, Jr. (5); Ralph Kiner (5); Duke Snider (5); Ernie Banks (4); Harmon Killebrew (4); Mark McGwire (4); and Sammy Sosa (4), including 2001). Banks (5) and Rico Petrocelli (1) are the only other shortstops with 40 homers in a season.

"When you talk about names like that it's obviously overwhelming and very flattering, but I'm so young still that I would never mention my name with any of those guys," Rodriguez said. "But being a historian and really big fan of the game, it's very flattering to me to be mentioned with those guys."

Rodriguez's feat marks the seventh time a Ranger has hit 40 homers. Juan Gonzalez did it five times while Rafael Palmeiro did it in 1999.

"I feel very fortunate, obviously, to be in a position to hit 40 home runs," Rodriguez said. "I think that's a major attribution to guys like Ken Griffey Jr., Edgar Martinez, Rafael Palmeiro, and guys like Randy Velarde. The protection I've had has been unbelievable my whole career. I give a lot of credit to those guys and (Rangers hitting coach) Rudy Jaramillo has been a great instructor for me this year."

The two-run homer came off Twins' starter Rick Reed and Texas won the game 10-1.

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