Eddie Mathews' 500th Home Run

Lore & Background

Mathews spent his entire adult life up to that point with the Braves franchise before being traded to the Houston Astros after the 1966 season. He became a member of the 500 home run club on July 14, 1967, coming off pitcher Juan Marichal of the San Francisco Giants at Candlestick Park. He was the second National Leaguer to reach that milestone, behind only Ott.

In Their Own Story

The humid Georgia air hung heavy over Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium as the sixth inning unfolded. Eddie Mathews stepped into the batter's box, his cleats digging into the dirt with practiced familiarity. The pitcher wound up, and the ball left the hand—a high fastball right down the middle. With a roar that echoed through the stands, Mathews swung. The crack of the bat was sharp and definitive. The ball soared high toward the deep center field, clearing the fence with room to spare. As he rounded the bases, the crowd erupted, knowing they had just witnessed history in the making.

Reader's Guide

Eddie Mathews was a third baseman, not a shortstop-turned-third baseman; he played third base his entire MLB career, never shortstop.

Did You Know?

• Mathews is the only player to have represented the Braves in all three of the cities they have called home: Boston, Milwaukee, and Atlanta.
• He hit 512 home runs during his major league career.
• Mathews was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1978.