Fansided

Could Alex Rodriguez hit No. 660 or 661 at Fenway Park?

By Nathaniel Reeves

May 1, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez (13) signs an autograph for a fan prior to a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
May 1, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez (13) signs an autograph for a fan prior to a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Yankees polarizing star probably won’t get a warm reception if he achieves the milestone at Fenway Park.

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The New York Yankees will travel to Fenway Park for the first time this season when they open up a three-game set against the Boston Red Sox on Friday night. New York and Boston are separated by a game at the top of the AL East standings, meaning this could be an important series and season for the rivalry.

Another interesting storyline is developing heading into this weekend. Alex Rodriguez sits at 659 career home runs, giving him a decent shot of tying or even passing the great Willie Mays for fourth all-time in front of Boston fans that have mercilessly booed him for over a decade.

Rodriguez got to this point with a surprisingly good April in his return from suspension. The 39-year-old is hitting .232/.369/.507 with five home runs through 84 plate appearances.

Playing time has not been the concern for Rodriguez, as he has appeared in all but one of New York’s games this season. That means Rodriguez has at least a realistic chance to hit No. 660 or 661 in Fenway this weekend.

Boston is a fantastic park to hit home runs in, which help his chances. It’s far tougher on right-handers like Rodriguez, but he still has the power to hit it well out of Fenway even in his old age-he owns the longest homer of the season at 477 feet according to ESPN’s home run tracker.

Rodriguez has actually hit better against right-handers than left-handers both this season and for his career, although the split is narrow enough to not really make a difference. The Red Sox will send righty Justin Masterson, left-hander Wade Miley and right-hander Joe Kelly to the mound this weekend.

Sunday against Kelly might be the best chance for Rodriguez to homer this weekend. None of those pitchers have been too homer-prone for their careers, but Kelly has already allowed three in 23.2 innings of work this season.

Fans tend to celebrate when visiting players pass a home run milestone. Even polarizing players like Barry Bonds were honored when they hit certain career marks on the road.

Rodriguez is one a different level. He would be booed in any ballpark other than Yankee Stadium, and Boston fans have particularly given it to him in the last few years following the Jason Varitek face-grabbing incident. If Rodriguez hits No. 660 or 661 this weekend, don’t expect cheers or some sort of ceremony.

Yankee fans have been giving Rodriguez a warm reception all season and would celebrate him if he passed Mays. As well they should: Rodriguez has helped the Yankees win a lot of games since 2004, including a World Series title in 2009.

The team itself might not be so eager to see Rodriguez hit No. 660. Rodriguez would be due a $6 million bonus if he accomplished the feat, which the Yankees are prepared to fight against.

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