A-Rod: Mr. 600 in 2009?

On June 12, 1995, at 19 years old, Alex Rodriguez hit his first Major League home run off of Kansas City Royals pitcher Tom Gordon. What would follow after that was unknown.

Rodriguez could even be at a higher home run total right now, but his first rookie campaign was cut short due to the strike of 1994, and he didn't become a full-time player until August 1995. Then he played some of the year in the Mariners AAA club, the Tacoma Rainiers.

In 1996, Rodriguez hit a jaw-dropping .358 with 36 HR and 123 RBI. At this time, Rodriguez was only 20 years old. During his first full season, it became more aware that this kid was going to be a star. 

On Aug. 12, 1998, he hit his 100th home run off of Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Nerio Rodriguez.

He followed this on May 12, 2001, as a member of the Texas Rangers, with his 200th home run off of White Sox pitcher Jon Garland in Chicago.

Rodriguez would fly through home runs 201-553 in just seven seasons, leaving some to believe he will eventually pass Barry Bonds' record of 762 home runs.

Hitting just 35 home runs in 2008, Alex Rodriguez is going to make it hard on himself to reach 600 in 2009 unless he goes on a tear.

What better way to open up the new stadium then to hit 47 to 50 home runs on the way to a potential fourth AL MVP award? In addition, Rodriguez will be hitting his 600th career shot and hopefully sending himself and his team to the playoffs.

In 2009, during the last week of September, the New York Yankees play the Boston Red Sox, and oddly enough, they play the Kansas City Royals. The Royals are whom Rodriguez hit both his first and 500th home runs against.

No. 500 came off of right-hander Kyle Davies on Aug. 4, 2007. On that day, Rodriguez became the 22nd member of the prestigious 500 home run club. He was also the youngest ever, at 32 years and eight days, to reach 500, breaking the record set by Jimmie Foxx in 1939.

The Yankees play three games during the regular season in the first week of October against the defending AL East Champion Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. This could be the site for No. 600.

Only 11 players stand in front of Rodriguez and the all-time home-run record.

Five big names could be passed by Rodriguez this season, the most notable being fellow Yankees slugger, "Mr. October" Reggie Jackson. Jackson has just 10 more home runs then Rodriguez (563).

Moving up the list, he could also pass Rafael Palmeiro (563), Harmon Killebrew (573), and Mark McGwire (583).

Based on from what I have seen while growing up and watching Rodriguez make these accomplishments, I wouldn't be surprised if he got to 600 this season.

After that, there are only 162 more for immortality.