Willie Mays 5th Player to 500 Homeruns

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On September 13, 1965 – At the Astrodome facing Don Nottebart, Giant outfielder Willie Mays becomes the fifth player in major league history to hit 500 career home runs. Mays stands and watches as the ball lands deep in the tunnel beyond centerfield at the Astrodome – an estimated 430-footer.

The “Say Hey Kid” will hit a league-leading and career-high 52 home runs en route to his second MVP season. Juan Marichal gets his 22nd victory, a 5 – 1 decision over Houston. It is the 11th straight win for San Francisco, which now has a 2 1/2 game lead in the National League pennant race. Mays also become the first African-American and first former Negro Leaguer to reach the 500 home run plateau. Mays would pass Mel Ott on both the All-Time National League home run list on May 4, 1966. Mays would remain the National League All-Time hit list until he was passed by Hank Aaron on June 10, 1972.

At the time the other players with 500 homeruns:

Babe Ruth August 11, 1929
Jimmie Foxx September 24, 1940
Mel Ott August 1, 1945
Ted Williams June 17, 1960

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