Fan News

The effect of the steroid era and the constant investigations that ensued were certainly evident after today's Yankees-Blue Jays game.

Alex Rodriguez reached a precious milestone today against the Toronto Blue Jays in the first inning, but the home run is hardly receiving the same amount of attention that sluggers such as Barry Bonds received. 

Rodriguez became only the seventh player of all time to reach that mark, and also became the youngest player to do so.

What’s that saying? “What’s one man’s garbage is another man’s treasure?” However it goes, that saying doesn’t hold more true than with the case of Pat Burrell.

So many huge names, yet such a small club.

As Alex Rodriguez enters the 600 HR club, here is my ranking of the club's best members.

NOTE: This list is very flexible, as each member can be argued as the best player of their era. This list is not only about HRs. It's about overall statistics. Everyone has their own opinions. Thank you and enjoy!

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Almost two weeks and 46 at-bats following home run 599, Alex Rodriguez belted his 600th career home run and officially became the youngest to do so at age 35, displacing Babe Ruth who did so at age 36. The Yankees have been reeling as of late, in part due to Rodriguez.

Once regarded as the next "next big thing", Mark Prior had expectations set so high, one could always wonder if those highs could ever be met.

Compared to 2010's newest phenom Stephen Strasburg, Prior's ascension to fame peaked during his junior year at USC as he went 15-1, 1.70 ERA in 18 starts with 202 strikeouts in 138 innings.

All signs pointed to Prior as a success—unspoiled mechanics with the stamp of approval from pitching Guru Tom House.

As we approach the stretch run, in what has been a banner 2010 season thus far, much has been made of the struggles of Drew Stubbs and Jay Bruce, and how their trials and tribulations may affect the Reds chase for the postseason.

Oh, if I had a dollar for every Stubbs strikeout, or every time Bruce was badly fooled by offspeed stuff...

Seemingly lost in these struggles is the third man in that outfield, Jonny Gomes.  Because his at bats are frighteningly quick, we are not given much time to psychoanalyze him.

The Yankees have been searching the trade market all season long for a veteran backup who can play third base, so they could occasionally rest Alex Rodriguez. They even went as far as nearly making a deal with the Boston Red Sox for Mike Lowell.

However, it seems possible, though a long shot, that they already have a capable backup in their minor league system: Brandon Laird.

Laird, 22, is a minor league third base prospect who was recently promoted to Triple-A Scranton after spending most of 2010 with Double-A Trenton.

You may remember about a month or so ago, former Chicago Cubs pitcher Mark Prior had a workout in front of several major league scouts and general managers. By all accounts, Prior was just "OK" in that throwing session.

On Tuesday Prior showed just how serious he is with his most recent comeback attempt. The former second overall pick in the MLB draft pitched a scoreless sixth inning for the Orange County Flyers of the independent Golden Baseball League. According to the manager of the Flyers, Paul Abbott, Prior will be used as a setup man.

Alex Rodriguez has had a down year for himself this season, but his numbers during his most recent slump, since he’s hit home run No. 599, have been dragged down even further.

Here’s how A-Rod has done since hitting homer no. 599: