After a record-setting drought between 599 and the next one, Alex Rodriguez hit his 600th home run against Toronto on Wednesday afternoon.
But given his admission of performance-enhancing drug usage, does it matter?
The 600 home run club has seven members: Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, Ken Griffey Jr., Sammy Sosa, and A-Rod. Three of the seven members are linked to PEDs. Only Griffey accomplished the feat in the contemporary era without them.
But are PEDs really the issue? Or is it about likability?
Bonds and Rodriguez are both generally unlikable characters that are easy to root against and take objection to. A lot of people seemed to be enjoying A-Rod being stuck on 599.
Sosa, who was generally well-liked in his playing days, is probably the best example of 600 becoming less meaningful. In short, he achieved the milestone despite not being remotely as good of a player as his six peers in the club. Without the juice, A-Rod and Bonds would still be in the Hall of Fame. It's harder to say that about Sosa.
Is 600 simply the new 500? Jim Thome, a member of the 500 home run club, would likely be the first ever person to achieve that milestone and be omitted from the Hall. He is only 23 from 600 though, and if he gets there, that has to make him a lock.
Still, 600 is a rare and amazing achievement, no matter how you get there.
So, does PED usage diminish Alex Rodriguez's membership in 600 home run club? For "Yes," text "SOX1" to 542542. For "No," text "SOX2" to 542542.
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