500 Home Runs 2010 - 2014: A Look Ahead

Three players joined the esteemed "500 career home run" club in 2007 (Alex Rodriguez, Jim Thome, and Frank Thomas). In 2008 or 2009, they will very likely be joined by two more players (Manny Ramirez and Gary Sheffield). Two other players, Mike Piazza and Carlos Delgado, have over 400 career home runs entering 2008. Of those two, only Delgado appears to have any shot at reaching 500, and he's far from a lock. Beyond that, however, who has a chance at reaching the historic milestone? Entering the 2008 season, no player other than Ramirez, Sheffield, Delgado, and Piazza have over 400 career home runs. There are, however, twelve players who have between 300 and 400 career home runs entering the 2008 season. In this article, we will look at these players shot at reaching 500.

The Golden Oldies

Of the twelve players, six of them are 37 or older. It goes without saying that their chances of reaching 500 home runs is slim to none.

Jeff Kent, who has 365 career home runs but turns 40 in March of 2008, leads off this group. He is the record holder for most home runs hit by a second baseman, and he hit 20 home runs in 2007, but the thought of him hitting 135 home runs after the age of 40 is a stretch.

Jim Edmonds, who will turn 38 in June of 2008, has 361 career home runs. A great player for many years, Edmonds is clearly in the twilight of his career. He has become more of a part time player, and hit just 12 home runs in 2007. He was traded to the San Diego Padres this off-season, who play in a ballpark known for suppressing home runs, another reason to doubt he'll hit anywhere close to enough home runs to approach 500.

Luis Gonzalez, who turns 41 in September of 2008, has 346 career home runs. He has hit 15 in each of the last two seasons, and signed with the Florida Marlins to be a bench player/mentor for the 2008 season.

Moises Alou has 332 career home runs and turns 42 in July of 2008. He was a great player, but missed far too much time with injuries during his prime to stand a chance at 500 home runs.