Stanton’s 450th Homer Sparks Yankees’ AL East Surge—Is a Hall of Fame Legend in the Making?

There’s something undeniably magnetic about milestone moments in sports—those definitive markers that both celebrate past achievements and whisper promises of what’s still to come. Last Saturday night in Baltimore, Giancarlo Stanton delivered just such a moment, slamming his 450th career home run, a milestone that’s as much a testament to his resilience as it is to his sheer power at the plate. It wasn’t just any homer; it was a three-run blast that helped fuel the New York Yankees to a solid 6-1 victory over the Orioles. For Stanton, this round number isn’t merely a stat on a page—it’s a lived experience, a bridge connecting him to the legends he now chases and surpasses in the record books. Hitting 450 homers in just 1,719 games places him alongside the swiftest fingers in the long ball hall of fame—only Babe Ruth, Mark McGwire, Alex Rodriguez, and Harmon Killebrew got there faster. And if the current pace is any indicator, the 35-year-old slugger may well be eyeing No. 500 and beyond, a landmark that might very well clinch his place in Cooperstown. Yankees manager Aaron Boone didn’t mince words either—he sees Stanton’s career as far from over, praising his distinctive power and hinting at more memorable moments ahead. That towering shot off Tomoyuki Sugano was not just a number builder; it sent a message as the Yankees continue their push in the AL wild-card race, now trailing the division-leading Blue Jays by a mere two games with the season winding down. Stanton’s journey back from elbow injuries this season, racking up 21 homers since returning midyear, adds an extra layer of grit to this story. Boone captured it best: “He’s a unicorn,” a rarity in how relentlessly and uniquely he crushes baseballs, making every game a spectacle. And while the talk around the Hall of Fame buzzes, Stanton remains grounded, focused every day on doing what he does best, all while knowing that the ultimate judgment lies ahead. Still, if you ask me? We’re just getting started with Stanton’s story—and the roadmap to 500+ homers looks mighty promising. LEARN MORE

BALTIMORE — Giancarlo Stanton hopes his 450th home run won’t be the last milestone he celebrates before calling it a career.

“It’s a nice round number,” the New York Yankees slugger said Saturday night after hitting a three-run drive in a 6-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles. “It’s cool to see the names I’m catching and tying and going above.”

Stanton hit No. 450 in his 1,719th career game. Only Babe Ruth, Mark McGwire, Alex Rodriguez and Harmon Killebrew were quicker to 450.

If the 35-year-old Stanton continues his slugging ways, then perhaps he will reach 500 and be recognized with a plaque in Cooperstown.

“He’s still going in what’s a Hall of Fame career,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “It’s a big number, 450, and it came with a three-run shot in the first. I feel like he’s got a lot left, a lot more to go.”

That longball off Tomoyuki Sugano sent the Yankees on their way to an important victory. The leaders in the AL wild-card race now stand just two games behind the AL East-leading Toronto Blue Jays with seven games left in the regular season.

“Most important, it helped us win,” Stanton said of his opposite-field drive to right.

Stanton didn’t start the season until July 2 because of elbow injuries. Since his return, he’s hit 21 homers.

Asked to describe Stanton as a hitter, Boone replied, “The man is dangerous. A unicorn. It’s so unique how he does it, so unique how routinely hard he hits the baseball. Just a really cool day for him and us as his teammates.”

Rest assured, there will be a lot more celebrating if Stanton reaches the next milestone.

“I’m a lot of swings away from 500,” he said. “Of course you think about it, and you understand that if you bear down that I’m capable of doing it.”

And the Hall of Fame? After being told of Boone’s assessment, Stanton said: “It’s cool to hear. I’m still rolling. That’s for you guys to debate about. I just come in every day and do what I can.”