This has been a homestand of milestones for the Yankees. It might as well be as the team isn't really playing for anything else. First we saw Mariano Rivera pass Lee Smith for sole possession of 2nd place on the all-time saves list. Then we saw Derek Jeter become the all-time hits leader in Yankee Stadium history by passing Lou Gehrig. Now Alex Rodriguez has set his own milestone.
On Wednesday night Rodriguez hit his 35th HR of the season in the 8th inning, thus marking the 11th consecutive season in which he has accomplished the feat and 12th time he's done it overall (1996, 1998-2008). That ties him with Babe Ruth for the most such seasons all-time and passing Hall-of-Famers Hank Aaron and Mike Schmidt.
"I've set some really high standards for myself, and 11 years in a row -- that says a lot more than the numbers," Rodriguez said. "It says that you stayed healthy and you've been very fortunate, and also that you've played with some tremendous teammates."
Rodriguez is the only player in Major League history to record at least 35 HR's, 100 RBIs and 100 runs scored in 12 seasons. Wednesday night's HR was also the 208th of his Yankee career, tying him again with teammate Jason Giambi. He currently ranks 10th all-time on the Yankees career list.
"He's a big offensive player, year in and year out," manager Joe Girardi said. "He keeps himself in unbelievable shape and he's able to drive the ball out of the ballpark the other way. Not a lot of guys can do that. What he's done over his career is amazing, and he's still got a long way to go."
Is it more amazing what A-Rod's accomplished or that he hit the HR when the Yanks were ahead and it was in a no pressure situation? That will always be the debate until we get some key hits from no.13. Life is great as Alex Rodriguez right? Well nonetheless congratulations to Rodriguez who statistically is having a good year and continues to collect milestones and continues his climb up the all-time HR list.
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