For over a century, Major League Baseball has been a source of entertainment, excitement, and awe for fans around the world. While many things have changed in the sport over the years, the home run still remains one of the most iconic sights in all of sports. In fact, the number of home runs hit by a player is often seen as a measure of their success and greatness. But how many MLB players have hit 700 home runs in their career?
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the history of the 700 home run club, and explore how many Major League Baseball players have reached this incredible milestone.
History of the 700 Home Run Club
The 700 home run club is a prestigious group of players who have achieved a feat that only a few have accomplished in the history of Major League Baseball. The first player to reach 700 home runs was the legendary Babe Ruth, who achieved the feat in 1934. Since then, seven more players have joined the club, making it one of the most exclusive groups in professional sports.
Barry Bonds: The Home Run King
Of all the players who have reached 700 home runs, none have done so more spectacularly than Barry Bonds. Bonds set the all-time record for most home runs in a single season in 2001, when he hit 73. He also broke the all-time home run record in 2007, when he hit his 756th home run.
Alex Rodriguez: The Most Controversial Member
Alex Rodriguez is one of the most controversial members of the 700 home run club. Rodriguez was suspended for the entire 2014 season due to his involvement in the Biogenesis scandal, and his admission to using performance-enhancing drugs. Despite this, he still managed to hit his 700th home run in 2015, becoming the fourth player to join the 700 home run club.
Hank Aaron: The True Home Run King
Hank Aaron is widely regarded as the true home run king. After Babe Ruth, Aaron was the second player to hit 700 home runs, and he held the all-time record for most home runs until 2007, when Barry Bonds surpassed him. Aaron was also the first African American to hit 700 home runs, and is still widely respected for his accomplishments both on and off the field.
Reaching 700 Home Runs in the Modern Era
Since Hank Aaron, only two other players have reached 700 home runs: Alex Rodriguez and Albert Pujols. While these players’ accomplishments are impressive, it’s worth noting that reaching 700 home runs has become increasingly difficult in the modern era. This is due to the fact that offense has decreased significantly in recent years and pitchers are now more skilled than ever.
The Current Members of the 700 Home Run Club
As of 2021, there are eight members of the 700 home run club: Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols, Jim Thome, Manny Ramirez, and David Ortiz. All of these players have achieved the remarkable feat of hitting 700 home runs in their careers, and they are all true legends of the game.
Other Notable Players Who Didn’t Make It
There have been several players who have come close to joining the 700 home run club, but ultimately fell short. Some of the most notable players who didn’t make it include Sammy Sosa, Ken Griffey Jr., and Rafael Palmeiro. Despite not reaching the 700 home run mark, these players are still remembered fondly by fans for their incredible contributions to the game.
Impact of the 700 Home Run Club
The 700 home run club is a prestigious group of players who have achieved one of the most impressive feats in the history of Major League Baseball. Their accomplishments are a testament to the skill and dedication required to reach such a lofty goal.
The Future of the 700 Home Run Club
Given the current state of Major League Baseball, it is likely that there will be no new members of the 700 home run club for some time. This is due to the fact that offense is down, pitchers are more skilled than ever, and teams are increasingly relying on analytics. Despite this, there are still players who have a chance to join the club in the future, such as Mike Trout and Miguel Cabrera.
Conclusion
The 700 home run club is an exclusive group of players who have achieved one of the most impressive feats in the history of Major League Baseball. To date, only eight players have reached this milestone, with Barry Bonds being the most recent addition in 2007. Although it is unlikely that there will be any new members added to the club in the near future, there are still a few players who could join in the coming years.
No matter how many players reach 700 home runs in the future, the accomplishments of the current members will always be remembered by baseball fans around the world.