Record Setter

Jonathan Villar won't really symbolize baseball's Year of the Home Run, but he did claim a notable line on that story Wednesday night. The Orioles' switch hitting 2nd baseman came up with two on and one out in the bottom of the 7th inning. Facing the Dodgers' Caleb Ferguson, he homered deep to left field in Camden Yards. That not only put Baltimore ahead 5-2, it was the 6,106th home run hit in the major leagues this season -- the most ever.
Far more famous names have clear the fences far more often than the veteran infielder this year. His historic blast was as much a product of timing and luck than pure talent. And, unless baseball goes back to an earlier version of the major league ball, Villar's home run -- and the 2019 record -- will go by the wayside next year.
For a night, and at least a year, Jonathan Villar has a small but interesting place in history.

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