MLB Player Accomplishment News for 2007 that Hasn't Been Widely Reported

The big story this year in baseball is, "When will Barry bonds break Henry "Hank" Aaron's career home run record?" As of July 9th, Bonds, the San Francisco Giants right fielder, has hit 751 home runs during his career. He is only 4 home runs shy of tying Aarons record and 5 home runs away from eclipsing the record.

Aaron's 755 career home runs has stood as tops in MLB since his retirement after the 1976 season. This record is on the brink of falling to Bonds in what could be his last season. Adding to the hype and seemly endless coverage of this potential momentous occasion is the steroid controversy that has surrounded Bonds for the past several years.

Not since Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa's chase of the single season home run record during the 1998 season has there been so many home run milestones in MLB. Some of them have already been reached, and some still have the potential to be reached. They all have one thing in common: they have been overshadowed by Bonds.

Frank Thomas, a Designated Hitter for the Toronto Blue Jays, reached the 500 home run club early this season. Thomas became only the 21st player in MBL history to reach 500 home runs. He hit his record breaking home run on June 27, 2007 against The Minnesota Twins.

Sammy Sosa, the Texas Rangers Designated Hitter and part-time outfielder, became only the fifth player in MLB history to reach the elite 600 HR club. Other baseball greats to reach this milestone are: Henry "Hank" Aaron - 755, Barry Bonds - 751, George Herman "Babe" Ruth - 714 and Willie Mays - 660.

What made Sosa's accomplishment even more astounding was the fact that Sosa was out of baseball last season. He did not miss the season due to injuries or personal problems; he missed the season because no team wanted him. Sosa focused himself during his time out of baseball and was able to make a comeback. As a result of his perseverance, Sosa made the Texas Ranges squad and became one of Baseball's elite home run hitters.

Deservingly so, Sosa did get more press coverage for reaching 600 home runs than Thomas did for reaching 500. Both milestones were overshadowed by Bonds' chase of Aaron's record.

There are a lot of other potential home run milestones that may be reached this season that are being overlooked as a result of Bonds.

Ken Griffey JR, The Cincinnati Reds Right fielder, as of the All-Star break is only 14 home runs shy of reaching the 600 home run club. If Griffey reaches this plateau, which it appears he will, it will be the first time in baseball history that two players reached the 600 home run club in the same season. Griffey will become only the sixth player in baseball history to reach the 600 home run plateau.

Alex Rodriguez, the New York Yankees Third Baseman, has the potential to reach two home run milestones. A-Rod, which he is more commonly know as, is only 6 home runs shy of reaching the 500 mark. He will become the second player this season to do so and will become the 22nd player in history to reach 500 home runs.

A-Rod also has the potential to be the first New York Yankee to hit 60 or more home runs since Roger Maris hit 61 in the 1961 season . A-Rod started the season on a tear, hitting 14 homes runs in April. He has slowed down a bit from that pace but still has the potential to reach 60. He has hit 30 home runs as of the All-Star break. Roger Maris had 31 home runs by the All-Star break during his record setting home run season. If A-Rod continues on his current pace, it could make for a very exciting September for Yankees fan.

There are three other players who also have the potential to reach the 500 home run club this season. Jim Thome of The Chicago White Sox currently has 486 home runs. Manny Ramirez, The Boston Red Sox Left Fielder has 481 home runs and Gary Sheffield of The Detroit Tigers has 476 home runs.

As this baseball season progresses, try not to get lost in all of the hype that surrounds Barry Bonds. There are a lot of other home run milestones that are occurring this season that deserve just as much attention.