Sammy Sosa becomes fifth player in 600-homer club

Sammy Sosa smiles after batting practice before Wednesday night's game.

ARLINGTON, Texas Sammy Sosa hit his 600th home run Wednesday night, making him the fifth player to reach the milestone.

Sosa, playing for the Texas Rangers following a year out of baseball, hit a 1-2 pitch into the Rangers bullpen in right-center for a solo homer. It came in the fifth inning against the Chicago Cubs, the team he played for from 1992-2004.

Sosa was the 1998 NL MVP and a seven-time All-Star while hitting 545 of his homers with the Cubs.

Sosa bounced out of the batter s box with his trademark hop and thrust his right fist into the air before reaching first base. He was mobbed at home plate by his teammates while the scoreboard showed pictures of all five members of the elite club: Hank Aaron, Barry Bonds, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays and Sosa.

No. 600 came off Jason Marquis, the 364th pitcher the 38-year-old Sosa has homered off in his 18 major league seasons.

It was Sosa s 12th homer in 62 games this season since signing a minor league deal and making the roster in spring training with Texas, the franchise that gave him his start and for which he hit his first homer in 1989.

Sosa also has 52 RBIs, which ranks seventh in the American League. He has homered against every major league team in his career.

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