Is 500 To Easy?

It is one of the most elusive marks in sports. The 500 club. In about a century of baseball, only 20 players ( Hank Aaron, Barry Bonds, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, Sammy Sosa, Frank Robinson, Mark McGwire, Harmon Killebrew, Ken Griffey, Rafael Palmeiro, Reggie Jackson, Mike Schmidt, Mickey Mantle, Jimmie Foxx, Willie McCovey, Ted Williams, Eddie Mathews, Ernie Banks, Mel Ott, Eddie Murray) have come to reach that mark. But now, with new tricks to the game, and more demand for runs, it may be a mark to easy to get into.

Right now, their are 7 active players with 400 home runs and have a realistic chance of getting to the 500 homer mark. 4 player in that group may do it this year. These players are Frank Thomas (491), Alex Rodriguez (479), Jim Thome (477) and Manny Ramirez (476).

If all these players stay healthy, than they will reach they mark of 500 homers. But 4 players getting to 500 in 1 year. That is to easy. Major League Baseball legends like Mel Ott and Ted Williams just barley got to 500 in their career. But what is the change now?

It may be the fan demand for runs. A few years ago, they moved the pitching mound up to allow more home runs. Apparently it's working. Another reason may be the extreme shape that many players are in ( even though it really isn't needed). Many players work out in the off-season and try for sports in training camp. 30 years ago, they came to training camp to get in shape.

But their is always the reason that no one really wants to bring up about greats like Alex Rodriguez. Performance enhancing drugs. Already their is controversy about Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds and Rafael Palmeiro ( who are all in the 500 club) that they took steroids.

What ever the reason is, it seems that many young players will eventually get to the 500 home run mark in their career. So maybe a new mark should be set for great home run hitters. Lets go 600.