Rodriguez hits 600th home run

NEW YORK (AP):

Alex Rodriguez became the youngest player in American baseball to hit 600 home runs yesterday, reaching the milestone in the first inning against Toronto at Yankee Stadium.

The 35-year-old slugger hit his 17th homer of the season, driving a pitch from Toronto's Shaun Marcum over the centrefield wall and giving the Yankees a 2-0 lead. A stadium worker retrieved the ball for him.

He raised a hand slightly in triumph as he rounded first base, then completed his trot around the bases.

Rodriguez joined an elite 600-homer club that includes Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755), Babe Ruth (714), Willie Mays (660), Ken Griffey Jr (630) and Sammy Sosa (609)

He finally got number 600 after going 12 games without a home run.

Joyous moment

After coming out for a curtain call, Rodriguez received congrat-ulations from teammates in the Yankees dugout. Many had raised their arms in joy when he finally connected.

Despite saying he's been more relaxed than he was when trying for his 500th homer, Rodriguez went just 9 for 46 after homering on July 22, the longest stretch between numbers 599 and 600 for any of the seven to reach the mark.

Rodriguez turned 35 last Tuesday, putting his home-run pace far ahead of the rest. Ruth had been the youngest to hit 600, reaching the mark in 1931 at 36 years, 196 days. Ruth did it in fewer games, though, 2,044 to 2,227 for Rodriguez.

During a tumultuous spring training of 2009, Rodriguez admitted to using steroids while playing for the Texas Rangers from 2001-03. He also had major hip surgery that kept him out the first month last year.

He returned with a fresh outlook that put the team first, helping lead the Yankees to their first World Series championship since 2000.

The 13-time All-Star has been saying that number 600 is merely a springboard to better things, mainly helping his team win, but also reaching Bonds' record of 762 home runs.