My husband and I were able to attend the Yankee game at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx on August 4th, and we were hoping to see Alex Rodriguez become the youngest ever player to hit the much-coveted 600th home run. The Yankees were playing the Toronto Blue Jays and Shaun Marcum was the starting pitcher for the Jays, Phil Hughes for the Yankees.
We had just finished having lunch in one of the special lounges, which was located on the third base side of the field. It is located right under the mustard ad in the photo above. When Rodriquez's name was announced in the first inning we decided to wait in the lounge and watch him at bat instead of heading back to our seats, which were located between home and first base, at field level. It's a good thing we did! I took the following photos from that location.
Alex Rodriguez waiting for the 2-0 pitch. Derek Jeter was on first base and two were out.
He hit the ball hard and watched it sail into center field, over the wall into Monument Park in Yankee Stadium.
Rodriquez about to touch home plate after hitting his monumental # 600 home run!
He was first congratulated by Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter who scored ahead of him.
A-Rod being hugged by the Yankee Captain, Derek Jeter.
Alex Rodriquez being congratulated by the entire Yankee team.
He joined an elite home run club that includes Barry Bonds (762), Henry Aaron (755), Babe Ruth (714), Willie Mays (660), Ken Griffey Jr. (630) and Sammy Sosa (609).
Rodriguez had gone 12 consecutive games -- 46 at-bats between home runs 599 and 600, and was in a 0-for-17 slump, so happily the suspense was finally over for him and Yankee fans! The Yankees ended up winning the game, 5-1.
Congratulations A-Rod!
On our way back to our seats we saw Yankee vendors selling this special T shirt commemorating A-Rod's 600 home run, so we bought one for our son who is a avid Yankee fan. We heard they sold out in two innings!
