Outside the box: another A-Rod milestone

Sporting News, The, June 24, 2005

Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez last week became the only player to reach 400 career home runs before his 30th birthday. But it certainly wasn't A-Rod's first home run milestone. On September 28, 2001, as a member of the Rangers, he became the first shortstop to hit 50 home runs in a season. He led the American League with 52 that year, the first of three consecutive league home run crowns. This year, Rodriguez again is on pace to hit 50--and to capture homer title No. 4.

Rafael Palmeiro's night was a microcosm of his five years in Texas. He enjoyed his best seasons in hitter-friendly Arlington, averaging 43 homers and 122 RBIs from 1999 to 2003.

Sierra had three stints with the Rangers and now is in his second of duty with the Yankees, where he has been reunited with Rodriguez. Sierra has played with eight clubs in his 19-year major league career.--Conor Nicholl

Despite A-Rod's gaudy numbers, the Rangers finished last in the A.L. West in each of his three years with the club. Pitching helped keep Texas in the cellar, as evidenced by its A.L.-worst 5.17 ERA in 2001.

Young is the only Ranger who played in this game and still is with the club. He moved to short last year after Texas acquired second baseman Alfonso Soriano from the Yankees in the deal for A-Rod.

Eckstein broke Frank Robinson's rookie record by getting plunked for the 21st time. The next year, the 5-7 sparkplug was a key component for the World Series champion Angels.

Dan Kolb wasn't yet an All-Star closer--or a failed closer. He was a middle reliever in his third big-league season; he didn't record his first save until 2002.

Texas               B     R     H    RBI

Catalanotto, LF     5     0     1      0
Magruder, LF        0     0     0      0
Young, 2B           5     1     1      0
Rodriguez, SS       4     2     2      1
Dransfeldt PH-SS    1     0     0      0
R. Palmeiro, DH     5     3     4      2
Sierra, RF          3     1     1      1
Monroe, RF          0     0     0      0
Kapler, CF          5     2     2      2
Pena, 1B             4     1     1      2
Haselman, C         3     0     0      1
Sheldon, 3B         4     1     3      2

Totals             39    11    15     11

Anaheim            AB    R    H    RBI

Erstad, CF          4    0    1      0
O. Palmeiro, CF     1    0    0      0
Eckstein, SS        3    1    1      0
J. Molina, C        1    0    1      0
Anderson, LF        4    0    1      1
Fernandez, 1B       1    0    0      0
Glaus, 3B           4    0    1      0
Spiezio, 1B-LF      4    0    0      0
Salmon, RF          2    1    0      0
DaVanon,PR-RF       0    0    0      0
Kennedy, DH         4    0    0      0
B. Molina, C        2    0    0      1
Gil, SS             1    0    0      0
Nieves, 2B          3    0    1      0

Totals             34    2    8      2

RANGERS    110    035    100--11    15    1
ANGELS     100    100    000--2      8    0

E: Rodriguez (18). DP: Texas 1, Anaheim 1. LOB:
Texas 10, Anaheim 10. 2B: Kapler, Anderson, Erstad.
HR: Rodriguez (50), Sheldon (3), Pena (3), R. Palmeiro
(46). SB: Eckstein (24). SF: Sheldon, B. Molina.

Texas             IP     H    R    ER    BB    SO

Myette W, 4-4     7.0    6    2    2      1     7
Kolb              1.0    1    0    0      1     0
Moreno            1.0    1    0    0      0     2

Anaheim           IP     H    R    ER    BB    SO

Valdes L, 9-12    4.1    9    5    5      4     1
Pote              1.0    3    4    4      2     0
Miadich           1.2    2    2    2      1     1
Cooper            2.0    1    0    0      0     1

HBP: Myette 1 (Nieves, Eckstein); Valdes
(Rodriguez).

Umpires: Jack Samuels, Kerwin Danley, Greg Gibson,
Dana DeMuth. Time: 3:07. Attendance: 26,128.