A-Rod Passes Mantle's HR Record

Yankee slams 537th homer on emotional day for team
By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 13, 2008 8:45 AM CDT
A-Rod Passes Mantle's HR Record
New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez, left, celebrates his solo home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Saturday, July 12, 2008 in Toronto.    (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Aaron Harris)

Alex Rodriguez smashed a 3-2 pitch from Toronto's Brian Tallet into the foul pole to claim his 537th career home run yesterday, surpassing Micky Mantle's record on the day Yankee great Bobby Murcer died. The All-Star didn't realize he had moved into 13th place on the all-time homer list until after the game, when he heard about Murcer's death, reports the New York Times.

“There are no random events. I’m sure it’s a sign, somehow, the day that I pass Mantle. Bobby will be watching us. He’ll be cheering on the Yankees for all time," Rodriguez said of Murcer, whom he described as Mantle's successor. The next benchmark for A-Rod is Mike Schmidt's total of 548 homers. (More New York Yankees stories.)

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