“Baseball: New York Giants manager and right fielder Mel Ott hits his 500th career home run off Boston Braves’ pitcher Johnny Hutchings during a 9-2 Giants victory at the Polo Grounds in New York City. Ott is the third major league baseball player to hit 500 home runs. Ott bats .308 with 21 home runs this year as the Giants finish in fifth place.”
His 500th was his 11th of the year and he end the season with 510 total. He hit one more home run in 35 games in 1946 and 1947. Retired as a player 38.
There are now 26 players with 500 plus home runs. Big Papi, David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox is next to get to 500. He is 14 away and heating up. (He would need a total of 34 for the season and he hit 35 last year.)
Lou Gehrig did not make the club with 493 HRs in 17 seasons.
A number of recent additions to the 500 club deserve asterisks.
As part of the All-Star festivities this year, fans were asked to vote on the four greatest players from each franchise. Ott did not make the cut for the Giants.
Obviously, the Babe, with 714 by his retirement in '35. But, from memory, can you name the other? Hints below:
American Leaguer
Righty
First baseman
primarily Philadelphia Athletics, then Red Sox, finally short stints with Cubs & Phillies
"There's no crying in baseball."
"Double X"
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/foxxji01.shtml