Hank Aaron, Meet Eddie Murray

HOF sluggers could start a support group

By Matthew Taylor

Saturday wasn’t a very good day for Hall of Fame sluggers. Hank Aaron no longer sits alone atop the all-time home run list, and Eddie Murray’s ranking is falling fast.

With his two home runs on Saturday, numbers 504 and 505 for his career, Frank Thomas passed Eddie on the all-time home run list. That same afternoon, Alex Rodriguez became the youngest player to hit No. 500 and now sits just four home runs behind Murray.

Murray’s statistical status could drop even lower in the near future. Active players within striking distance of the Oriole legend include Jim Thome (490), Manny Ramirez (489), Gary Sheffield (478), and Carlos Delgado (424).

Three other Orioles besides Murray are ranked in the Top 50 of baseball’s career home run list: Frank Robinson (No. 7, 586), Rafael Palmeiro (No. 10, 569), and Cal Ripken (N0. 37, 431). O’s short-timer Harold Baines is No. 50 on the list with 384 home runs.

Delgado and Mike Piazza (422) are both within striking distance of Ripken.