The 700 Home Run Club: A Look into Baseball History

Introduction:

The 700 Home Run Club is an exclusive group of Major League Baseball players who have hit 700 or more home runs over their careers. This club is one of the most exclusive in baseball, with only eight members in its history. This article will explore the history of the 700 Home Run Club and discuss the players who have achieved this remarkable feat.

Babe Ruth: The Founding Member

The first member of the 700 Home Run Club was the legendary Babe Ruth. Ruth was one of the most iconic players in baseball history, and was the first to reach the 700 home run mark, doing so in 1934. He finished his career with 714 home runs, a record that would stand until 1974.

Hank Aaron: Breaking the Record

The next member of the 700 Home Run Club was Hank Aaron, who broke Ruth's record in 1974. Aaron, who played for the Atlanta Braves for most of his career, was the first African-American player to reach the 700 home run mark. He finished his career with 755 home runs, a record that still stands today.

The 700 Home Run Club Grows

After Aaron, the 700 Home Run Club began to grow. The next members were Willie Mays and Eddie Murray, both of whom reached the milestone in 1987. Mays finished his career with 660 home runs, while Murray finished with 504. Then, in 1992, Reggie Jackson became the fourth member of the club, finishing with 563 home runs.

The 500 Home Run Club

In 1995, the 500 Home Run Club was formed when Frank Robinson, Mike Schmidt and Harmon Killebrew all hit their 500th home run. This group of players is often referred to as the "500 Home Run Club," and each member went on to reach the 700 home run mark as well. Robinson finished with 586 home runs, Schmidt with 548, and Killebrew with 573.

An Expanding List

The list of 700 Home Run Club members continued to grow in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Ken Griffey Jr. became the sixth member of the club in 2004, finishing with 630 home runs. Then, in 2007, Alex Rodriguez became the seventh member, finishing with 696 home runs. Finally, in 2016, the eighth and most recent member of the club was Albert Pujols, who finished with 667 home runs.

Conclusion:

The 700 Home Run Club is one of the most exclusive clubs in baseball history. Only eight players have ever reached the 700 home run mark, and they are all legends in the game. This article has explored the history of the 700 Home Run Club and its members, and hopefully it has provided some insight into the remarkable achievement that these players have accomplished.