Sosa powers his way to fifth place on the all-time
home run list
Written by Ozzie Gonzalez,
www.latinosportslegends.com
July 28, 2005 -- Dominican slugger of the Baltimore
Orioles, Sammy Sosa is once again making a claim that he is one of
the most prolific home run hitters of this era, when he belted career #587
against Texas Rangers last night.
No. 587 came off right-handed starter, Chris Young to move past former Oriole Frank Robinson and claim sole possession of fifth place on the all-time list.
The solo homer traveled 345 feet and barely landed on top of the flag court in right field, but Sosa performed his patented hop coming out of the batter's box to indicate that he knew the ball had enough distance.
Sosa's hop has also recently served as an indication that the slugger has found a groove after a prolonged slump.
He tied Robinson on Tuesday with a two-run homer off Kenny Rogers. He has now left the ballpark in four of the past nine games to raise his total to 13 home runs this season.
The significance of Sosa's career numbers may be somewhat marred by the era in which he has played, but it took Sosa 1,689 at-bats less than Robinson to pass his mark. Of the all-time top 10 home run hitters, only Mark McGwire and Harmon Killebrew had less at-bats than Sosa.
Currently in his 17th season in the Majors, the 36-year-old slugger is 73 homers shy of Willie Mays, who is fourth all-time with 660.
The only other players in major-league history with more homers than Sosa are Hank Aaron (755), Babe Ruth
(714) and Barry Bonds (703).
The 36-year-old slugger is hitting .236 with 13 homers and 37 runs batted in during his first season with the Orioles after coming over in an
off-season trade with the Chicago Cubs.
|
