Feb-01

Yankees' Alex Rodriguez talks chasing Babe Ruth, Barry Bonds

POSTED BY: Barry Bonds in NEWS

Just a year ago, the idea of Alex Rodriguez catching Babe Ruth on the career home runs list seemed farfetched to some.

But after a surprisingly productive, fully healthy season, the Yankees slugger is within reach of Ruth, and could move past his 714 home runs — good enough for third all-time — as early as the 2016 season.

Rodriguez has 687 career bombs. Ruth is at 714. Last season, Rodriguez clubbed 33 homers in 151 games. At age 40, it's possible A-Rod could slow down.

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But after a full season of getting used to being the Yankees' designated hitter, combined with manager Joe Girardi managing Rodriguez's playing time, it's conceivable that the Miami native could be every bit as productive as he was in 2015.

Recently, in a report from Newsday's Steven Marcus, Rodriguez explained what he thinks about the possibility of catching Ruth.

"When I first grew up, I thought about Babe Ruth, I thought Jackie Robinson, I thought about Roberto Clemente,'' Rodriguez said, according. "Those are all like iconic names that you just kind of dream about. No matter what the numbers say, there is no comparison. There is only one Babe Ruth.''

Rodriguez also addressed possibly catching all-time home run king Barry Bonds, according to the report. Last season, Bonds reportedly said Rodriguez told him he wanted to break his career mark of 762 home runs. The two worked together in the offseason leading up to the 2015 season.

"We always like to joke around,'' Rodriguez said, according to the report. "I wouldn't look too much into that.''

 

Source

Brendan Kuty | nj.com | February 1, 2016

http://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/2016/02/yankees_alex_rodriguez_talks_chasing_babe_ruth_bar.html