Newz Forum: BASEBALL: Braves' Jones hits 50th HR, 300th in career in loss

In a losing effort from the Braves, Andruw Jones became only the 12th player to hit 300 HR's before his 30th birthday, at age 28. His 300th HR was also his 50th, thus becoming the first to hit 50 since 2002, and te first NL player since 2001 when Bonds, Sosa, and L Gonzalez all hit 57+.

Originally posted on ESPN

PHILADELPHIA -- Andruw Jones of the Atlanta Braves hit his 50th home run Wednesday night, becoming the first major leaguer to reach that mark since 2002.

The solo shot into the second deck in left field was off Philadelphia's Geoff Geary. It came in the eighth inning and cut the Phillies' lead to 12-4. It would stand as the final margin.

It was Jones' 300th career homer and the 28-year-old became the 12th player in major league history to reach that milestone before his 30th birthday.

Jones had never hit more than 36 homers in a season, reaching that mark in 2000 and 2003.

Jones broke the Braves' franchise record for homers when he hit two last Sunday against Washington to pass Hall of Famers Eddie Mathews and Hank Aaron. Mathews hit 47 for the Braves in 1953, and Aaron hit that many in 1971.

The last major leaguers to reach 50 homers were Alex Rodriguez, who hit 57 for Texas, and Jim Thome, who hit 52 for Cleveland, in 2002.

The last season National League players reached 50 was 2001 when Barry Bonds of San Francisco set the major league record with 73, Sammy Sosa of Chicago hit 64 and Luiz Gonzalez of Arizona hit 57.

Being a Braves fan, I can't help but feel overly excited about his accomplishments. He already holds the club record for single-season HR totals, and may extend that as high as 56.












[Edited on 15/9/05 by TRD]