Setting New Marks

Some things never change once they are created: they can't be beat. Bob Barker ended his run as the host of The Price Is Right and he went out with a bang. It will be hard to fill his shoes. Just as in television, sports has their shining stars who leave their mark on their respective game through setting a bundle of records and prevailing with tremendous accomplishments.

Just like when long TV series come to an end or TV personalities call it a career, records in sports cannot last forever. This year's MLB season just might be a season that sets quite a few new records and has a few more players reaching some of the highest milestones you can achieve in a career in a statistical category.


Out of the box, we start with one stat that was set by a player who already holds the MLB record for the most. The Padres' Trevor Hoffman reached the 500 save milestone on June 6th with a 5-2 win against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He already has the record and is just adding to it.

Now to the most followed of the milestones. Barry Bonds' chase of Hank Aaron's all-time record of 755 home runs. After going deep for the first time in his career at Fenway Park on Sunday to bring his career total to 748, Bonds is almost a lock to reach Aaron, only being seven away. Bonds started a three-game series in Milwaukee Monday; a three-game set in New York against the Yankees follows.

Other Major Milestones reached this season:

--Kenny Lofton (Texas Rangers) reached 600 stolen bases for career.
--Omar Vizquel (San Francisco Giants) reached 2500 hits and 400 doubles for career.
--Jamie Moyer (Philadelphia Phillies) recorded his 2000th strikeout of his career.
--Derek Lowe and Randy Wolf (Los Angeles Dodgers) recorded their 1000th strikeout of their careers.

--Sammy Sosa hit his 600th home run on June 20th against the Chicago Cubs. He now has 601.
--Ken Griffey Jr. passed Mark McGwire on the All-time HR list with 584 on Sunday, June 24th (he hit 2 in the game) against the Seattle Mariners, his former team.
--Barry Bonds walked one time on Sunday June 24th against the New York Yankees, giving him 2500 for his career.

Other milestones that are within reach before the month is out include:
(edited on June 25, at 12:30 a.m.)

--Craig Biggio (Houston Astros) is only 4 hits away from 3,000 for his career, something not even Babe Ruth accomplished.
--Frank Thomas (Toronto Blue Jays) is 1 home run away from 500 for his career.
--Pedro Martinez (New York Mets) is 2 strikeouts away from 3000 for his career, he is currently on the injured list. The Mets hope he will be able to play this season.