Juan Soto becomes seventh-youngest MLB player to reach 200 home runs while scoring in every ballpark
Juan Soto etched his name in history as he smashed a two-run home run off Bryan Woo of the Seattle Mariners in the fourth inning, becoming the seventh-youngest hitter in MLB history to reach 200 home runs. His 40th home run of the season extends the Yankees' lead to 6-1. The 410-foot home run went into the stands of left-center field and had an exit velocity of 110.1 mph.
At 25 years and 328 days old, he joins the exclusive list of most homeowners before his 26th birthday. Jimmie Foxx (222), Eddie Mathews (222), Alex Rodriguez (216), Mel Ott (211), Mickey Mantle (207) and Albert Pujols (200) are those above him in the list.
Moreover, the home run in T-Mobile Park gets Soto into an exclusive club of hitters who have scored homers in all 30 active MLB ballparks. Coming into this season, Soto had six ballparks to homer in.
Among his 40 home runs, he hits his career first home run in Progressive Field (April 13), Angel Stadium (May 28), Guaranteed Rate Field (4, Aug. 13-14), Globe Life Field (Sept. 4) and now T-Mobile Park (Sept. 17).
Juan Soto is having an exceptional year at the plate. If it weren't for Aaron Judge's historic season in making, he would have been a runaway contender for the AL MVP award.
Juan Soto-Aaron Judge combo joins historic ranks with 40 home runs each
The Dominican's Yankees journey started when he was traded out of the San Diego Padres ahead of this season. Since then, his hitting combo alongside Aaron Judge has proved to be a menace for pitchers.
After Juan Soto hit his career-high 40th homer of the season, his home run tally, coupled with Aaron Judge's 53 homers, made the Yankees duo only third in franchise history. Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig (1927, ’30, ‘31) did it three times, while Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris (1961) did it once. If the Yankees extend Soto's stay with them, more such seasons are expected.
The Yankees will try to retain Soto, who'll become a free agent once this season concludes. His free agency is anticipated to even cross Shohei Ohtani, who set a benchmark last season by signing a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.