Gary Sheffield Reaches 500 HRs

Gary Sheffield slammed a full-count pitch from Milwaukee’s Mitch Stetter into the stands to lead off the seventh inning. The nine-time All-Star was cut by the Detroit Tigers the last week of spring training. This was both his first hit and home run of the season for the New York Mets, who picked him up.

This was only the second HR by Sheffield as a pinch-hitter. It was caught by Chris Matcovich, a 22-year-old Mets fan from Suffern, NY.

Sheffield is the fourth-oldest player to hit 500 HRs. He trails Ted Williams 41, 291 days, Eddie Murray (40, 194 days) and Willie McCovey (40 years, 171 days. Sheffield was 40 years, 143 days old.

The only active players with 500 or more HRs are Ken Griffey Jr. (613), Alex Rodriguez (553), Jim Thome (543) and Manny Ramirez (527), and of course, Gary Sheffield.