Home Run Race 98

Dave Paisley

After Mark McGwire belted three homers on May 19, it seemed inevitable to the TV pundits that he will not only crush this year's opposition in the home run race, but handily lap Roger Maris in the process.

Life probably isn't going to be quite that simple for Big Mac this year. Let's take a look at the two leading home run hitters in each league so far this year.

While I'd guess Mac is a pretty sure bet for the ultimate NL lead, a Coors-powered Vinny Castilla has already been ahead a couple of times this year, and should continue to hang around. In the AL, Mac's big rival from last year, Ken Griffey, Jr., is still disproving the fact that he's "not a home run hitter." So far, Junior hasn't hit a whole lot when they could have helped a lot, but that's life.

Just as Castilla may not have been your first choice as the Rockie who'd contend, the biggest surprise so far has to be Alex Rodriguez. After getting off to a slow start overall with the bat, A-Rod is beginning to pound the ball, for doubles as well as homers. He's also walking more - a really good sign. With 18 for the year so far, Rodriguez only needs another 18 to reach 100, and will be one of the youngest by far to reach that plateau. If he hits the mark around his birthday on July 27th, he will have beaten Griffey to 100 by six months. Watch out.

Not too far behind after a mini-home run tear is Jose Canseco in the AL, now with 16. In the NL, Andres Galarraga is proving that while $9M may be a lot of money, it wasn't entirely wasted, as he sticks around the leader board with 15.

That's it for your early leaders. Check back in a few weeks, when we'll compare how the boys are doing against some famous historical paces.

Dave Paisley went to the premiere of "Godzilla", where throughout the movie he yelled, "You can see the wires! You can see the wires!" If you ask him at drdjp@strikethree.com, he'll tell you that he shouts the same thing at Mo Vaughn.