Chasing History: Jimmie Foxx

Friday night, Jimmy Foxx did something that only one other person in history has done...he hit his 896th home run, tying him with Mickey Mantle for the most all time. Breaking the record and becoming the all time home runs leader was part of the reason that Foxx signed on to come back for another year with the Twins. "Now it's here," he said. "I have looked forward to the possibility of this point in my career for a long time, and it has finally come. I can't wait to get back out there and break the record."

Mantle was in attendance Friday as Foxx hit the bomb that tied them. "This is what baseball is all about," Mantle said. "Breaking records. Chasing history. These are the things that make the game great." Amazingly, when Foxx hits his next home run, he could likely break another record...most RBI's all time. Foxx currently has 2330 RBI's, whereas Mantle, the current leader, has 2331. How interesting...that both records would fall so close, perhaps the same week, maybe even the same game or at bat. This will be an historic week in Habla.

How long these records will stand is unclear. Babe Ruth, currently only 29 years old, is only about 200 HR and less than 1000 RBI's behind Foxx. Once Foxx retires, Ruth will gain ground at an amazing rate, and both records could fall quickly. But Foxx isn't worried about that for now. He says he will just enjoy the time with his teammates and family. "This is the kind of thing that players dream about, and I am lucky enough to experience it."