Baseball has long been one of America’s favorite pastimes, and it’s no surprise that some of the biggest stars have come from the Major League Baseball (MLB). One of the most impressive accomplishments any player can achieve is hitting 700 home runs. So far, only eight players have done it, though many more have come close. This article will explore how many MLB players have hit 700 home runs, and the legacy they have left behind.
Babe Ruth: The Sultan of Swat
The most famous home-run hitter in baseball history is Babe Ruth, nicknamed the “Sultan of Swat.” Ruth hit his 700th home run on May 25, 1935, while playing for the Boston Braves. Ruth was the first player to reach this milestone, and he remains the only one to do so without the aid of modern-day performance-enhancing drugs. His record of 714 home runs held for nearly four decades until Hank Aaron beat it in 1974. Ruth is still widely considered one of the greatest hitters of all time, and his legacy lives on today.
Hank Aaron: Hammerin’ Hank
Hank Aaron, known as “Hammerin’ Hank,” is the second MLB player to hit 700 home runs. He achieved this milestone on April 8, 1974, when he hit his 700th home run off of Al Downing of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Aaron’s record of 755 home runs stood for 33 years until Barry Bonds broke it in 2007. Aaron was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982 and is widely considered one of the greatest hitters of all time.
Willie Mays: The Say Hey Kid
Willie Mays, nicknamed “The Say Hey Kid,” is the third MLB player to hit 700 home runs. Mays achieved this milestone on July 18, 1970, when he hit his 700th home run off of Steve Carlton of the Philadelphia Phillies. Mays is widely considered one of the greatest all-around players in baseball history, and he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979.
Barry Bonds: The Home Run King
Barry Bonds is the fourth MLB player to hit 700 home runs. He achieved this milestone on August 9, 2007, when he hit his 700th home run off of Brad Hennessey of the San Francisco Giants. Bonds has the record for most home runs in a single season with 73, and the most career home runs with 762. He has been accused of using performance-enhancing drugs and has been a controversial figure in baseball. Despite this, Bonds was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2021.
Alex Rodriguez: A-Rod
Alex Rodriguez, nicknamed “A-Rod,” is the fifth MLB player to hit 700 home runs. He achieved this milestone on August 4, 2010, when he hit his 700th home run off of Edwin Jackson of the Chicago White Sox. Rodriguez is the youngest player to reach 700 home runs, having done so at age 34. He is also the only player to have 600 home runs and 3,000 hits. Rodriguez has been another controversial figure in baseball due to his use of performance-enhancing drugs, but he was still inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2021.
Albert Pujols: The Machine
Albert Pujols, nicknamed “The Machine,” is the sixth MLB player to hit 700 home runs. He achieved this milestone on May 4, 2019, when he hit his 700th home run off of Chris Stratton of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Pujols is the only active MLB player to have hit 700 home runs, and he is still going strong at age 39. He is widely considered one of the greatest hitters of all time, and he has been a model of consistency throughout his career.
Jim Thome: The Big Hurt
Jim Thome, nicknamed “The Big Hurt,” is the seventh MLB player to hit 700 home runs. He achieved this milestone on August 15, 2011, when he hit his 700th home run off of Jason Marquis of the Washington Nationals. Thome is widely considered one of the best power hitters of all time, and he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018.
Manny Ramirez: Man-Ram
Manny Ramirez, nicknamed “Man-Ram,” is the eighth and final MLB player to hit 700 home runs. He achieved this milestone on May 31, 2015, when he hit his 700th home run off of Joe Kelly of the St. Louis Cardinals. Ramirez has been another controversial figure in baseball due to his use of performance-enhancing drugs, but he was still inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2021.
Conclusion
In conclusion, only eight MLB players have hit 700 home runs: Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols, Jim Thome, and Manny Ramirez. These players have left an indelible mark on the game of baseball and will be remembered for generations to come. While many players have come close to hitting 700 home runs, only these eight have achieved this remarkable feat.