500 home run club

A man in full baseball attire wears a pinstriped jersey and a hat with overlapping white "N" and "Y". Looking to the left of the camera, he is holding a baseball bat upward.
Babe Ruth was the first player to reach 500 home runs and set a career home run mark of 714 that stood until 1974.

In Major League Baseball (MLB), the 500 home run club is a group of batters who have hit 500 or more regular-season home runs in their careers. There are twenty-eight players who are members of the 500 home run club. Seven 500 home run club members—Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Eddie Murray, Rafael Palmeiro, Albert Pujols, Alex Rodriguez and Miguel Cabrera—are also members of the 3,000 hit club.

In the past, membership in the 500 home run club was a guarantee of eventual entry into the Baseball Hall of Fame, although some believe the milestone has become less meaningful in recent years and many members have not been enshrined in Cooperstown.[1][2][3][4]

All 15 players who became members of the 500 home run club between 1929 and 1996 are members of the Hall of Fame. Of the 11 players who made the 500 homer club between 1999 and 2015 who are Hall of Fame eligible, only four have been enshrined in Cooperstown. Seven eligible club members—Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Mark McGwire, Palmeiro, Manny Ramirez, Gary Sheffield and Sammy Sosa—have not been elected to the Hall. Bonds is one of only four members in the 700 home run club and Rodriguez and Sosa are members of the 600 homer club, all of whose other members are Hall of Famers except for the recently retired Albert Pujols, who hit 703 career home runs and is not eligible until 2027.

Bonds and Sosa made their first appearance on the Hall of Fame ballot in 2013; Bonds received only 36.2% and Sosa 12.5% of the total votes, with 75% required for induction.[5] Eligibility requires that a player has "been retired five seasons" or be deceased for at least six months. Some believe the milestone has become less important with the large number of new members; 10 players joined the club from 1999 to 2009.[1] Additionally, several of these recent members - including all seven aforementioned eligible members - have had ties to performance-enhancing drugs.[1][4][6] Some believe that by not electing McGwire to the Hall the voters were establishing a "referendum" on how they would treat players from the "Steroid Era".[7][8] On January 8, 2014, Palmeiro became the first member of the club to be removed from the BBWAA Hall of Fame ballot after failing to appear on at least 5.0% of ballots.[9]

On August 11, 1929, Babe Ruth became the first member of the club. Ruth surpassed Roger Connor's record of 138 career homers during the 1921 season, and was the first player to hit 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 and 700 career home runs. Ruth ended his career with 714 home runs, a record which stood from 1935 until Hank Aaron surpassed it in 1974.[10] Aaron's ultimate career total, 755, remained the record until Barry Bonds set the current mark of 762 during the 2007 season.[10] The most recent player to reach 500 home runs is Miguel Cabrera, who hit his 500th home run on August 22, 2021;[11][12] As of the end of the 2024 season, there are no active members of the club.

Key

An African American man in a white baseball uniform with "GIANTS" on the chest takes a left-handed baseball swing as a catcher kneels behind him to receive the pitch.
Barry Bonds (pictured here in 2006) joined the 500 home run club in 2001 and set a new career home run record of 762 in 2007.
Player Name of the player
HR Career home runs
Date Date of the player's 500th home run
Team The batter's team at the time of his 500th home run
Seasons The seasons this player played in the major leagues
* Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame
‡ Denotes player who is still active

Members

A dark-skinned man in a black baseball jersey and gray pants takes a right-handed baseball swing with a crowd in the background, several people wearing red.
David Ortiz is one of 12 to reach the milestone from 1999 to 2015.
Miguel Cabrera, joining on August 22, 2021, is the most recent addition to the club.
  • Stats updated as of the end of the 2024 season.
Player HR Date Team Seasons played Opposing pitcher Ref(s)
Barry Bonds 762 April 17, 2001 San Francisco Giants 1986–2007 Terry Adams [13]
Hank Aaron* 755 July 14, 1968 Atlanta Braves 1954–1976 Mike McCormick [14]
Babe Ruth* 714 August 11, 1929 New York Yankees 1914–1935 Willis Hudlin [15]
Albert Pujols 703 April 22, 2014 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 2001–2022 Taylor Jordan [16]
Alex Rodriguez 696 August 4, 2007 New York Yankees 1994–2013, 2015–2016 Kyle Davies [17][18]
Willie Mays* 660 September 13, 1965 San Francisco Giants 1951–1952, 1954–1973 Don Nottebart [19]
Ken Griffey Jr.* 630 June 20, 2004 Cincinnati Reds 1989–2010 Matt Morris [20]
Jim Thome* 612 September 16, 2007 Chicago White Sox 1991–2012 Dustin Moseley [2][21]
Sammy Sosa 609 April 4, 2003 Chicago Cubs 1989–2005, 2007 Scott Sullivan [22]
Frank Robinson* 586 September 13, 1971 Baltimore Orioles 1956–1976 Fred Scherman [23]
Mark McGwire 583 August 5, 1999 St. Louis Cardinals 1986–2001 Andy Ashby [24]
Harmon Killebrew* 573 August 10, 1971 Minnesota Twins 1954–1975 Mike Cuellar [25]
Rafael Palmeiro 569 May 11, 2003 Texas Rangers 1986–2005 Dave Elder [26]
Reggie Jackson* 563 September 17, 1984 California Angels 1967–1987 Bud Black [27]
Manny Ramirez 555 May 31, 2008 Boston Red Sox 1993–2011 Chad Bradford [28][29]
Mike Schmidt* 548 April 18, 1987 Philadelphia Phillies 1972–1989 Don Robinson [30]
David Ortiz* 541 September 12, 2015 Boston Red Sox 1997–2016 Matt Moore [31]
Mickey Mantle* 536 May 14, 1967 New York Yankees 1951–1968 Stu Miller [32]
Jimmie Foxx* 534 September 24, 1940 Boston Red Sox 1925–1942, 1944–1945 George Caster [33]
Willie McCovey* 521 June 30, 1978 San Francisco Giants 1959–1980 Jamie Easterly [34]
Frank Thomas* 521 June 28, 2007 Toronto Blue Jays 1990–2008 Carlos Silva [35][36]
Ted Williams* 521 June 17, 1960 Boston Red Sox 1939–1942, 1946–1960 Wynn Hawkins [37]
Ernie Banks* 512 May 12, 1970 Chicago Cubs 1953–1971 Pat Jarvis [38]
Eddie Mathews* 512 July 14, 1967 Houston Astros 1952–1968 Juan Marichal [39]
Mel Ott* 511 August 1, 1945 New York Giants 1926–1947 Johnny Hutchings [40]
Miguel Cabrera 511 August 22, 2021 Detroit Tigers 2003–2023 Steven Matz [41]
Gary Sheffield 509 April 17, 2009 New York Mets 1988–2009 Mitch Stetter [42][43]
Eddie Murray* 504 September 6, 1996 Baltimore Orioles 1977–1997 Felipe Lira [44]

See also

References

General
  • "Career Leaders & Records for Home Runs". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on February 8, 2010. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  • "500 Home Run Club – Milestones". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Archived from the original on April 3, 2015. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
Specific
  1. ^ a b c Passan, Jeff (April 18, 2009). "500 home run club losing its cachet". Yahoo! Sports. Yahoo!. Archived from the original on April 12, 2016. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  2. ^ a b Curry, Jack (April 27, 2008). "500 Home Runs, Zero Certainty for Thome". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 23, 2017. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  3. ^ Romano, John (April 22, 2009). "Gary Sheffield's 500 home runs is merely a number, and not a very special one". St. Petersburg Times. www.tampabay.com. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  4. ^ a b Swartz, Cody (April 19, 2009). "Why 500 Home Runs No Longer Guarantees Admission to the Hall of Fame". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on October 2, 2012. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  5. ^ "2013 Hall of Fame Vote a Shutout" (Press release). National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. January 9, 2013. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved January 9, 2013.
  6. ^ Kurkjian, Tim (January 9, 2012). "Whopper of a list of names await in 2013". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on November 1, 2014. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  7. ^ "Bonds says Rose, McGwire belong in Hall of Fame". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 18, 2007. Archived from the original on April 7, 2015. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  8. ^ "McGwire denied Hall; Gwynn, Ripken get in". NBC Sports. Associated Press. January 10, 2007. Archived from the original on October 9, 2012. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  9. ^ "Rafael Palmeiro Becomes First Fatality of PED Era". Archived from the original on April 6, 2015. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  10. ^ a b "Progressive Leaders & Records for Home Runs". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 15, 2015. Retrieved July 4, 2010.
  11. ^ "500 Home Run Club". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Archived from the original on April 3, 2015. Retrieved October 2, 2016.
  12. ^ Kelly, Matt (September 7, 2021). "The 500 Home Run Club". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Archived from the original on April 17, 2022. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
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  14. ^ "Hank Aaron Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on June 23, 2011. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  15. ^ "Babe Ruth Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on July 12, 2022. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  16. ^ White, Paul (April 22, 2014). "Albert Pujols: 500 home runs, and looking like old self". USA Today. Archived from the original on August 7, 2017. Retrieved April 23, 2014.
  17. ^ Hoch, Bryan (August 4, 2007). "A-Rod belts historic 500th homer". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Archived from the original on April 9, 2015. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
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  20. ^ "Ken Griffey Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 4, 2010. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  21. ^ "Jim Thome Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  22. ^ "Sammy Sosa Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 2, 2012. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  23. ^ "Alex Rodriguez Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 11, 2009. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  24. ^ "Mark McGwire Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 4, 2010. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  25. ^ "Harmon Killebrew Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 25, 2021. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  26. ^ "Rafael Palmeiro Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 30, 2011. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  27. ^ "Reggie Jackson Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 3, 2010. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  28. ^ "Manny Ramirez Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 11, 2021. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  29. ^ Browne, Ian (June 1, 2008). "Manny cements his place in history". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Archived from the original on August 17, 2014. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  30. ^ "Mike Schmidt Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 3, 2010. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  31. ^ "David Ortiz Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 2, 2021. Retrieved September 12, 2015.
  32. ^ "Mickey Mantle Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 28, 2018. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  33. ^ "Jimmie Foxx Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 12, 2009. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  34. ^ "Willie McCovey Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 27, 2009. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  35. ^ "Frank Thomas Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 1, 2014. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  36. ^ Kieser, Joe (June 28, 2007). "Thomas launches No. 500 at Metrodome". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Archived from the original on April 11, 2015. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  37. ^ "Ted Williams Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 28, 2018. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  38. ^ "Ernie Banks Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 25, 2021. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  39. ^ "Eddie Mathews Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on June 3, 2019. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  40. ^ "Mel Ott Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 20, 2019. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  41. ^ "Miguel Cabrera Career Stats". Baseball Reference. Archived from the original on April 6, 2009. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  42. ^ Ghiroli, Brittany (April 18, 2009). "Sheffield joins elite club with No. 500". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Archived from the original on April 24, 2014. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  43. ^ "Gary Sheffield Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on February 12, 2010. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  44. ^ "Eddie Murray Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 19, 2009. Retrieved July 15, 2010.