Alex Rodriguez mashes 477-foot home run at Tropicana Field
As Alex Rodriguez closes in on another home run milestone, he’s leaving very little doubt that he’s still among the most powerful hitters in MLB.
On Friday night at Tropicana Field, the New York Yankees slugger connected for career home runs No. 657 and 658, which moved him to within two of Willie Mays for fourth place on the all-time home run. But it wasn’t just the number signifying his place in MLB history that made this home run so impressive. It was also the number of feet his first home run traveled after he connected against Rays right-hander Nate Karms.
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According to ESPN’s home run tracker, A-Rod’s home run traveled an estimated 477 feet, which tops Steven Souza Jr.’s 463-foot homer at Rogers Centre at April 14 for the longest in MLB this season.
Granted, we’re still early in the season. The likelihood 477 feet holds up all season is small, especially with guys like Giancarlo Stanton and Mike Trout swinging every day. In fact, both men topped that number last season, but 477 feet is 477 feet any way you slice, and for a guy who’s career seemed over following his year-long suspension in 2014 and a second hip surgery, it’s almost unbelievable.
ESPN Stats and Info adds that A-Rod’s home run is the longest hit by any Yankees player over the past 10 seasons, and it’s the longest at Tropicana Field over that same span.
For what’s it worth, MLBAM’s tracking system has the home estimated at 471 feet. But the consensus agrees that baseball was crushed.
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As was his second home run, a two-run shot off Ernesto Frieri which tied at the game 4-4 in the sixth inning.
Also worth noting, A-Rod (1,925) officially moved passed Derek Jeter (1,923) for ninth place on the all-time runs scored list. Next up on the list is Stan Musial at 1,949.
Neeless to say, A-Rod is allt the way, and he’s determined to make this season as interesting as possible on several different levels.
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813
