Knockin' down the door to 500

500 long balls has long been THE standard for hall of famer sluggers. You knock 500 of them offerings over the outfield fences, and you get your plaque hung in Cooperstown. 500 long balls in HBD doesn't hold quite the same prestige, but its not too far behind. In a world as young as Ripken, JR, 500 homers is definently a spectacular feat. Even during the steriod era prior to season 6 or 7, that's still 50 homers a season over 10 years, just to get there. That my friends is nothing to sneeze at. Rather uncermoniously, AchillesCohen bashed thru that door just last season. the 30 year old OF was just approaching his prime as Ripken, Jr was created, and he's used the last 10 years to ensure he'll be sitting pretty atop the all time homer list when it comes time to induct him into our Hall. In fact, even more impressive, Cohen spent season 1 in the minors, meaning that his 500th homer came in his 9th ML season. Despite his struggles to make solid contact each at bat, he's always been a key rbi guy, having hit 39 or more homers each season, save his first where he "struggled to hit 34 in 143 ML games.

While Cohen sits alone on the 500 homer platue, he's about to get some company. Similar to Achilles, BillWeaver sat out much of spent much of season 1 in the minors, gettng a late season call up. Weaver arrived in the showing hitting the ball all over the park, and has yet to stop. Sporting a .311/.401/.617 career line, Weaver has been one of, if not the finest hitter this world has seen. Weaver entered the season in 2nd place on the career homer list at 468, and seems intent to chase down Cohen for the all time lead. Despite the young season, Weaver has already knocked out 18 long balls as he aims to bring home his 3rd MVP award. With 486 homers total, look for Weaver to hit #500 sometime before the all star break.

Syracuse 1b AndyClayton hopes to join Weaver & Cohen on the 500 homer list this season, and appears to be in range of that glorious target. The 8 time all star entered season 11 with 456 long balls, just 44 shy of the 500 mark. Considering that he's topped 42 homers every season but 1 since his full season debut, 44 certainly appears to be range. Despite a solid shot, the fences have contained more of Clayton's hits this season than in season past, limiting to just 5 long balls on the short season. However, noticing that he continues to rope line drives, expect Clayton to pick up the pace and threaten the 500 mark as the season winds down and Syracuse gears up for another penant chase.