Welcome to the 500 club Big Pappi.
David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox hit his 499th and 500th home run tonight in St. Petersburg playing against the Tampa Bay Rays. Becoming just the 27th player in MLB history to hit 500 home runs in his career, the nine-time All-Star will join Alex Rodriguez (684) and Albert Pujols (555) as the only active MLB players to accomplish this (per Michael Kolligian, MLB.com).
His 500th of his career is his 34th of this season. The next-highest player close to the 500 club is Ryan Howard, who has 355 entering todays game. Ortiz leads Howard by 145 home runs. Ortiz is also the fourth Red Sox to reach the 500 club along with Jimmie Foxx (1940), Ted Williams (1960), and Manny Ramirez (2008).
Up to this date, no Major League club has had four players reach the 500-home run milestone. Ortiz has also now hit 32 career home runs at Tropicana field. Congratulations Ortiz, this historic day is well deserved.