Harper Rising in the Dog Days of August; Phils in Contention

236.	Tony Armas (14)	251	R	HR Log
	Tony Clark (15)	251	B	HR Log
	Bryce Harper (10, 28)	251	L	HR Log
	Cy Williams (19)	251	L	HR Log
	Robin Yount+ (20)	251	R	HR Log
241.	Jose Valentin (16)	249	B	HR Log

    Bryce left Washington the year that the Nationals won the World Series, 2019, so the Phillies getting to the playoffs would be a big deal. Many people thought that this year of "post pandemic" 2021 much of the National League East would be a really good division and race, but all the teams are struggling, including the Mets, who have had some good runs but overall the record is not that great compared to most leaders in the other divisions of both leagues, National and American. The Phils are in good contention with the Mets now, and maybe the Braves could do some things. The Nats have blown way too many wins, traded out some serious experience and talent (alas!, Scherzer and Turner and about four others, including Series winners, both batters and pitchers) and they are 10 below five hundred. Schwarber got hot for a couple weeks and things were exciting, but the pitching and other factors sank my hometown team. Juan Soto has had an okay season, but has lost some of his back up hitters to keep the opponents' pitching more honest. They are building for the future, perhaps some young great talent will fill in the blanks.

    Harper was tied with 16-year veteran infielder Jose Valentin on all time home runs at 249, who I watched play a bit with the White Sox (fan since 1992), and had really good power from both sides of the plate. He finished his big league career in 2007 with the New York Mets. He hit a career best 30 homers in 2004 with the Pale Hose of Chicago. The Sox won the World Series in 2005, but Jose, of Puerto Rico, played one season with the Los Angeles Dodgers that season nearing the end of his career.

    Harper was at 250 career homers for a second by himself, but then he made 251 on the all time list to be tied with some all time players, including Robin Yount, the Hall of Famer. He played 20 years, all with Milwaukee, and finished in 1993, with over 3100 hits. He was a hitter, who had some power. Best season in long balls was 29 in 1982, at age 26. Milwaukee had a great team that year.

    Cy Williams stopped playing way back in 1930, leading the league in home runs four times, including 1916 with only 12, 1920 with 15, and then 1923 with 41. Babe was not doing his thing so much in the 19 aughts. His last year to lead the majors with home runs was 30 in 1927. He started with the Cubs in 1912 but ended up the rest of his tenure with the Phillies, finally done at age 42, playing only 21 games his last year with 0 home runs.

    Tony Clark was a big 6'8" man with power who played from 1995 to 2009; most of his best home run years were with Detroit when he was younger, topping out at 34 in 1998, the year of baseball when hitting thirty some homers was pedestrian. (See Mark and Sammy, that crazy year of the long ball). He had one good year in Arizona, 2005, and retired at age 37.

    Tony Armas of Venezuela, played 14 years and lead the league twice in long balls, 1981 was a short strike season, he had 22. That was with Oakland in 109 games. In Boston he hit a career best in 1984 with 42 clouts. I am thinking the Green Monster likely helped this right handed hitter. He played his last three years with the California Angels, hanging up his cap in 1989 at age 35. He hit 11 ding dongs that last year.

Bryce, the swings and balls keep coming, as do these many names. 

235 more greats to surpass. Can you do it? Top 100, for sure. But maybe Trout, or Machado, or some other powerful youngin' like Tatis or Guerrero will eventually catch the pantheon of Bonds, Aaron, and Ruth...

Time tells all things, right? I may be pulling for Juan Soto, myself, some 8 or so whacks still from the top 1000...