Countdown to Opening Day - 7: Major milestones loom amid A-Rod's return to baseball
In this 30-day series, theScore's MLB editors will preview the 2015 season with an in-depth look at some of the significant numbers - statistical milestones, jersey numbers and general miscellanea - poised to pop up throughout the campaign.
Sometimes it's easy to forget Alex Rodriguez is one of the best baseball players of all time.
For a player with 14 All-Star appearances, three MVPs, a World Series, batting title and 654 home runs, it sure is remarkable he's been on the wrong side of a headline more often than not. Somehow, though, A-Rod has done the improbable this month: he's returned the focus to Alex Rodriguez, The Baseball Player.
Rodriguez entered camp with the understated goal of simply making the team, and all he's done this spring is lead New York Yankees regulars in OBP, SLG, OPS and homers.
| 2015 ST | HR | BB | AVG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | 3 (T-1) | 7 (T-2) | .324 (2) | 1.026 (1) |
With the start of the year inching closer, an unlikely storyline has emerged. A-Rod - who's returning from a season-long PED suspension with two surgically repaired hips - is the front-runner to win the Yankees' full-time designated hitter job.
Perhaps that's not such a shocker given the $61 million left on his contract, but the fact Rodriguez could be getting everyday at-bats is especially intriguing because A-Rod is closing in on three major milestones:
3,000 hits (needs 61)
If Rodriguez is limited to a lefty-righty DH platoon - which remains entirely possible - this would probably be one of the harder milestones to predict. Playing time aside, A-Rod's health is a significant factor - he suited up for only 265 out of a potential 486 games in the three years prior to his suspension. Assuming there's a minor to medium regression in his hits per plate appearance pace from 2011-2013, A-Rod might need about 300 PAs or 80 games to find green 61 more times. And when he does, he'll become the 29th player ever to do so. Prediction: Final series before the break at Boston.
661 home runs (needs 7)
Rodriguez needs to hit just seven more homers to pass Willie Mays for fourth on the all-time list, and six more to earn himself another $6 million in bonuses. It's safe to say he's motivated by both. A-Rod hit exactly seven homers in 44 games during his injury-shortened 2013 season, and if he stays healthy, this is one milestone well within his reach. Prediction: June 17-24 homestand.
2,000 RBIs (needs 31)
RBIs don't carry the same weight they used to before the War on Stats, but make no mistake, this is a big number. Only two players have reached this milestone (Hank Aaron and Babe Ruth), and with 27 more runs batted in, A-Rod will move into third place. That's some elite company right there - after all, we are talking about one of the best players of all time . Prediction: July 4 vs. Rays.