Beltran makes switch-hitting history with 400th HR
Carlos Beltran became the fourth switch-hitter in major-league history to hit 400 home runs when the New York Yankees outfielder smacked a sixth-inning two-run shot off Chicago White Sox left-hander Zach Duke on Sunday.
Beltran's eighth homer of the season put New York in front 5-4 in its series finale at Yankee Stadium, and landed him in the record books alongside some of the game's greatest players.
He joins Mickey Mantle, Eddie Murray, and Chipper Jones as the only switch-hitters to reach the milestone from both sides of the plate, and he's the 54th player overall in the 400 club. Beltran's the third Puerto Rican-born player to accomplish the feat and just the fifth member of the exclusive 400-homer, 300-steal club.
| Player | HR | SB |
|---|---|---|
| Barry Bonds | 762 | 514 |
| Alex Rodriguez | 692 | 328 |
| Willie Mays | 660 | 338 |
| Andre Dawson | 438 | 314 |
| Carlos Beltran | 400 | 311 |
The 39-year-old was greeted at home plate by teammate and fellow switch-hitter Mark Teixeira, who sits three homers shy of joining Beltran in the 400 club.
"It's really neat that I have gotten to play with three of the best switch-hitters of all time in Carlos, Chipper Jones, and Lance Berkman," Teixeira told the YES Network during spring training. "We learn a lot from each other, but it's not about competition, it's about winning games."
Beltran's production has slowed in recent seasons because of injuries - he's managed just 42 homers over his last three years. An eight-time All-Star, Beltran's had four 30-plus home run campaigns, including his impressive 41-homer season with the Mets in 2006.
(Video courtesy: MLB.com)