Home Run Milestones Within Reach in 2008

2007 was a memorable year in Major League Baseball. Barry Bonds surpassed Hank Aaron as the games all-time home run leader. Jim Thome, Alex Rodriguez and Frank Thomas all joined the 500 home run club and Sammy Sosa joined the 600 home run club. Not to be outdone Craig Biggio became the 27^th player in baseball history to reach 3000 hits. 2008 looks to be just as exciting with several players looking to make their mark on the game. Unless Barry bonds find s a new team in 2008 there will not be a new member of the 3000 hit club, but several players are in line to reach home run milestones in 2008.

Here is a look at some home run milestones within reach in 2008.

Ken Griffey Jr of the Cincinnati Reds is only 7 home runs away from becoming the 6th member of the 600 home run club. Griffey has averaged 31 home runs a season in his 19 years in the big leagues. Look for Griffey to join the club within the first month of the season.

The 500 home run club should have 2 new members this year. Manny Ramirez of the Boston Red Sox is just 10 away. Manny Ramirez has hit at least 20 home runs in a season every year since 1995, so 10 should not be a problem for Manny. Next on the list is Gary Sheffield of the Detroit Tigers who is just 20 away. Sheffield hit 25 home runs in 2007 and has averaged 24 home runs a season in his 20 years in the game. Expect Gary to join the club somewhere around midseason.

The next closest active player on the list is Carlos Delgado of the New York Mets. He currently has 431 career home runs. 500 home runs is out of the question but look for Carlos to get to 450 this season .

The 400 home run club should have at least one new member in 2008 and possibly as many as 5. Chipper Jones of the Atlanta Braves has 386 and should easily hit the 14 needed to reach 400. The other players who may join the club in 2008 include Andruw Jones of the Los Angeles Dodgers who is 32 away with 368, Andruw has averaged 31 home runs a season during his career. Vladimir Guerrero of the Los Angeles Angels and Jeff Kent of the Los Angeles Dodgers each have 365. Since 1998 Vlad Guererro has averaged 35 home runs a season while Jeff Kent has averaged 25. Next on the list is Jason Giambi of the New York Yankees with 364, he has averaged 30 home runs a year since 1996. The biggest long shot on the list is Jim Edmonds of the San Diego Padres who has 362 home runs.