Watch: A-Rod hits 661st homer, passing Mays

A-Rod now has sole possession of fourth place on the all-time home run list. (USATSI)

Last Friday, Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez tied Willie Mays for fourth place on the all-time home run list with his 660th career homer. The solo homer broke a 2-2 tie with the Red Sox at Fenway Park to help New York to a 3-2 win.

A-Rod broke another 2-2 tie on Thursday afternoon, this time with a solo homer against the Orioles. His 661st career homer moved him over Mays and into sole possesion of fourth place on the all-time home run list. Here’s the historic blast:

Rodriguez actually almost went deep earlier in the game, but the usually defensively challenged Delmon Young showed some athleticism and robbed A-Rod of the homer with a jump at the wall. Check it out:

A-Rod’s 660th homer last week triggered the first of five $6 million milestone bonuses in a marketing agreement he has with the Yankees. The team intends to fight the bonus, saying A-Rod’s PED ties have rendered the milestone unmarketable.

Given the reception he received at Yankee Stadium — the fans wanted and received a curtain call after 661 — the fans seem to have moved on from last year’s suspension. The Yankees did acknowledge the historic homer on the scoreboard.

The home run was A-Rod’s seventh of the season. The other $6 million bonuses kick in when A-Rod ties Babe Ruth (714), Hank Aaron (755), Barry Bonds (762) then passes Bonds on the all-time homer list.

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