A-Rod Hits Home Run No. 659, Moves Within 1 Of Mays
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) — Alex Rodriguez has hit his 659th home run, putting him one behind Willie Mays for fourth place on the career list.
The three-time MVP connected off New York Mets left-hander Jonathon Niese in the first inning of the Subway Series finale Sunday night at Yankee Stadium. Rodriguez drove a 2-2 curve to right-center, with the ball bouncing off the top of the fence for a solo shot.
"Willie was my father's favorite player. I remember hearing about Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle all the time. He's one of my heroes," Rodriguez said after the Yankees' 6-4 win.
It was the fifth homer of the season for A-Rod, who sat out last year while serving a drug suspension.
"From the second week or so of spring training, he's been obviously very dominant with the bat and clearly one of our better hitters," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said on WFAN radio's pregame show.
Yankees GM Brian Cashman
The Yankees and Rodriguez have a $30 million marketing agreement that calls for him to receive $6 million each for up to five accomplishments, payable within 15 days of designation by the team. The accomplishments were contemplated to be home runs 660, 714, 755, 762 and 763.
But with A-Rod's career tarnished by performance-enhancing drugs, the Yankees are thinking about letting the milestones pass without making a designation, which could lead to another legal fight between the sides.
During his surprisingly powerful start to this season, the Yankees have virtually ignored Rodriguez's pursuit of Mays.
Asked if he knows what the team might do to mark No. 660, the longtime slugger said: "I don't have a marketing degree, so I'm just focusing on playing baseball."
Yankees manager Joe Girardi called Rodriguez's accomplishments "pretty amazing."
"That's a lot of home runs," Girardi said. "And obviously you hope (No. 660) comes tomorrow, and you hope there's a couple of guys on when he hits it. That's what you hope for, but he's been a big part of our offense this first month, and we need it to continue."
Rodriguez's first chance to match Mays came in the second inning, when the longtime Yankees slugger doubled to left field. He was thrown out trying to advance to third after an error by Mets left fielder Michael Cuddyer.
He finished 2 for 4 with two RBIs, raising his average to .267.
"I'm excited about the win today, I'm excited about the home run," A-Rod said. "I'm having fun."
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