Less than a year after becoming the youngest-ever member of the exclusive 500 Home Run Club® on August 4th, 2007 Alex Rodriguez (537+) has continued hitting homers at a furious clip...and has moved up to 13th on the all-time leader board. Next up: Philadelphia Phillies great "Iron" Mike Schmidt (548).

On September 17, 2007 “The Big Hurt” Frank Thomas proved that he still has awesome power by cranking out three home runs to pass Mel Ott on the career list, and then to move into a tie with Ernie Banks and Eddie Mathews with 512 career homers for the 18th spot on the all-time career list.

In addition to hitting more home runs than any other players in the history of the game, 500 Home Run Club members also won key games with some of the most amazing WALK-OFF shots ever witnessed.

Members of the 500 Home Run Club have long been known for their philanthropic spirit.  So it’s no surprise that three members of baseball’s most elite fraternity are helping charities raised funds by launching their own, exclusive wine label under the banner of the “500 Home Run Club®

It’s only fitting that Hispanic Heritage Month  (Sept. 15 to Oct. 15) coincides with the most exciting portion of the baseball season since many of the most exciting hitters in the major leagues are Hispanic. 

The Roberto Clemente Award is given annually to a Major League Baseball player selected for his character and charitable contributions to his community. It is named for Hall of Fame outfielder Roberto Clemente, who was killed in a plane crash in 1972 while delivering supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.

It’s nearly impossible to appreciate all of the ways that members of the 500 Home Run Club, LLC have influenced and furthered the sport of major league baseball worldwide.  One way that is seldom discussed is their early and continued role as Designated Hitters (DH).

Orioles fan who caught Frank Robinson’s 500th home run on September 13, 1971

The only thing more thrilling than witnessing your favorite Major Leaguer hitting his 500th Home Run is being the lucky fan who caught that magical ball.  Especially if it’s “on the fly,” like the Frank Robinson’s 500th homer, which I was lucky enough to catch.

Ted Williams retired from the game in 1960 and hit a home run in his final at-bat, on September 28, 1960, in front of only 10,454 fans at Fenway Park. This home run, a solo shot hit off Baltimore pitcher Jack Fisher in the 8th inning that reduced the Orioles' lead to 4-3—was immortalized in The New Yorker essay "Hub Fans Bid Kid Adieu", by John Updike. 

In addition to impressing the baseball world by becoming the 21st (Frank Thomas), 22nd (Alex Rodriguez), 23rd (Jim Thome) and 24th (Manny Ramirez) players to join the legendary 500 Home Run, “Big Frank”, “A-Rod”, "The Thomenator" and "Man Ram" are impressive gentlemen.  Each has worked diligently to maintain a positive lifestyle and highly productive career, while also pursuing philanthropic endeavors that improve the lives of their fans and fellow players.

Yankees Slugger Youngest To JOIN THE CLUB!

Alex Rodriguez, who turned 32 on July 27, 2007, gave himself one of the most amazing late-birthday presents possible.  By hitting his 500th home run on August 4th of that year, he has gained membership into one of the most exclusive clubs in professional sports – The 500 Home Run Club®.

At 32 years and 8 days of age, he bested "The Beast" Jimmie Foxx, the previous youngest-ever club member, by nearly an entire year (Fox did it in 32 years, 338 days).

To a casual observer the entrance of four new 500 Home Run Club®, members in little more than one year could suggest that the landmark achievement has lost its exclusivity or is not as big of an achievement as it has been in the past. This is absolutely untrue.

Three 500 HRC members/honorary members are among only 15 players to hit four home runs in a single contest.

Never one seek media attention or personal accolades, Henry (Hank) Aaron often let his bat do the talking.  “I never smile when I have a bat in my hands. That's when you've got to be serious. When I get out on the field, nothing's a joke to me. I don't feel like I should walk around with a smile on my face,” Aaron said.

Perhaps the only certainty surrounding Barry Bonds’ ascent to the top of the home run mountain was that his record-tying 756th blast would occur -- whether by design or coincidence -- at home, within the friendly environs of the San Francisco AT&T Park, where he could be sure of receiving a suitably warm tribute from the crowd.

Aging But Still Splendid Babe Stars at 1st All-Star Game

The first All-Star Game was held as part of the 1933 World's Fair in Chicago and was the brainchild of Arch Ward, then sports editor for The Chicago Tribune. Thirty-eight-year-old Babe Ruth, a crowd pleaser to the end, belted the first All-Star home run in the third inning of the inaugural All-Star Game in 1933 (Chicago, Comiskey Park).  Ruth also made a dazzling late-inning catch to secure the 4-2 win for the American League. The spectacle and excitement generated by this first All-Star Game ensured that it would be an annual event.

In 2007, we hosted an exclusive online fan poll at www.500hrc.com to determine the “GREATEST 500 HOME RUN MOMENT” of all time.  

Frank Thomas Swats #500 to Join Baseball’s Most Elite Sluggers

On Thursday, June 28, 2007, The “Big Hurt” Frank Thomas (520) hit a three-run home run off Minnesota’s Carlos Sliva an estimated 396-feet into the Metrodome’s left-field stands to join some of his childhood heroes and lifelong role models, such as Ernie Banks, Willie Mays and Hank Aaron as a member of major league baseball’s most exclusive club:  The 500 Home Run Club, LLC.

July 4, 1939 was Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day at Yankee Stadium and ‘the Iron Horse’s’ uniform number 4 was the first ever to be retired in New York.