Reaching 300

It almost looked too easy for Giancarlo Stanton to reach 299 career home runs. 
After clearing the fences twice on opening day in Toronto, he remained a steady power source for the Yankees. He stood just one away from 300 on August 18th after his 32nd homer of the season -- before waiting 10 games over 12 days before his drought came to an end. Thursday night in the bottom of the 3rd inning, his laser to the right field seats of Yankee Stadium granted him membership in a still-impressive, if no-longer quite exclusive club.

At age 28 and 295 days, Stanton's blast was noteworthy -- he became the fifth fastest player ever to reach 300 home runs.

Fewest Games to 300 in MLB History:
  • Ralph Kiner 1,087
  • Ryan Howard 1,093
  • Juan González 1,096
  • Alex Rodriguez 1,117
  • Giancarlo Stanton 1,119 
Remember, every at bat for Stanton is under the pressure of a pennant race. That's something he never experienced while a Marlin. And for the past five weeks, he's done it without his fellow Bronx Bookend, as Aaron Judge sits it out with a broken wrist. 

(My image of Stanton was from game 9 of the drought -- August 28th against the White Sox.)

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