Is it just me, or is getting to 500 homers not as big of a deal as it used to be???

Question

Frank Thomas is one homer shy of 500, and that got me wondering, is the 500 club so prestigious anymore? I mean, just look at all the players that should make it there soon: Manny Ramirez, Alex Rodriguez, Jim Thome, etc.

Answer 1

And you'll notice than the bulk of the guys did it after 1968 after they lowered the mound. I say raise the mound and let's get back to fundamental baseball. What is funner to watch? A single, a SB, a hit and run with a single up the middle, or 5Ks, 2 walks and a 3 run home run from someone who struck out his previous 3 times a bat swinging for the fences?

Personally, I'd like to see small ball back. I'd like to see guys like Crawford, Matsui, and Beltran the norm and not the exception.

I mean really, no offense to anyone's fav player, but in what other sport could players like today's Ortiz, Giambi, and Fielder be considered athletes or in shape for that matter?

Answer 2

Well, it's not just you, but I'd still disagree. Look, the hard ball has been in play just 80 years (since 1920). Between then and 2000 fewer than 20 players reached that plateau. After you get past the ones you mentioned, there is NO ONE with a lock on 500, and most guys over 300 don't look likely to make it. It's a new century. Let's see how many actually get there in the next 100 years.

If they play baseball for the next 1000 years and, oh, 15 or 20 guys make it each century, it will look like a whopping long list. But considering how many players have played the game, it's still quite a remarkable achievement.

Answer 3

I still think hitting 500 homers is impressive. Yes there is/was the steroid era, but baseball won't put an * next to every player suspected of taking them. The players you mention, Manram, Arod, and Thome are GREAT players and I have watched them throughout their career in amazement. Withing the first few years of watching Frank Thomas, I thought this guy is HOF material and if it wasn't for injuries I think he would have close to 600 HRs right now. Big Mac should go to the HOF as he carried baseball on his shoulders for a few years. Every at bat you thought he'd crack another one over the wall. He was good for the game and the game should be good to him...where ever he may be.

Go Dbacks!!!

Answer 4

I'm a Cards fan as well. I feel ill when i look at all of the hitters who are approaching 500 and 600 home runs. It used to happen only once every several years. Instead there are several who may do it this year. It's just not as special anymore. There are just too many juiced up lumberjacks hitting the ball out of undersized parks. The only way this trend might slow down is with testing for Human Growth Hormone.

Answer 5

twenty one players have now reached 500 homeruns with more to follow soon, many of those in the past 10 years. I really believe that 600 homeruns is the new 500 home runs. the number 500, in the past, was a free pass to the hall-of-fame and now you are going to see players with 500 that won't make it. 800 is the new target for today's elite and that number might be 1,000 after the A-Rod career is over.

Answer 6

500 is still damn hard.

McGriff didn't make it. Canseco. Bagwell. It's still hard.

And, should they all make it, Thomas, Rodriguez, Ramirez, and Thome will hardly be watering down the membership. It is no heresy to claim that there are, already, lesser players than these four in the 500 HR Club. (Not MUCH lesser, but there is valid support for this position.)

Answer 7

It is not an elite club like it once was since so many are opening the doors, but still 500 plus homers is a great feat.

Answer 8

It depends on the time Era and the number of talented players during that time that will decide if a 500 HR hitter will be in the Hall Of Fame.

Answer 9

Yes, 500 Home Runs doesn't seem so great anymore. People hit a lot more home runs than they used to, and a ton of pleyers playing right now will get at least 500.

Answer 10

People used to look to sports to forget about hard times and just enjoy even if only for the length of a good baseball game.
Indeed times are a changin and people have many other things to do these days but for very many (myself included)
baseball will always ways have a special place their heart as well as its great achievers!♥