The 500-home run club welcomed its newest member Saturday in Tampa Bay when Boston masher David Ortiz hit a 428-foot solo blast to right field at Tropicana Field off Rays pitcher Matt Moore
He rumbled around the bases in the fifth inning with a thick gold chain bouncing off his shoulders and chest.
It was the second home run of the day for the 39-year-old product of the Dominican Republic. He hit a three-run shot in the first inning off Moore. It traveled 364 feet.
Ortiz already is considered one of the great slugggers of this era. Now he will be forever associated with some of the greatest power hitters in history such as Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Frank Robinson, Ernie Banks and Ted Williams. All are previous members of the 500 home run club.
Ortiz played his first six seasons in the major leagues with Minnesota, but hit only 58 of his home runs for the Twins. The rest have come as a member of the Red Sox, including 34 now this season.
Ortiz has nine seasons with 30 home runs or more, including three straight seasons with at least 41 homers (2004-06) He hit a career-best 54 home runs in 2006. It was the only season in his career he has led the American League in home runs.
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