On this day.... Frank Robinson hits #500

September 13th, 1971. Today is the 40th anniversary of Frank Robinson slugging his way into what was once some pretty elite company.

After connecting for career home run #499 earlier in Game one of a doubleheader, Orioles right fielder Frank Robinson takes a ninth inning Fred Scherman offering deep into the night of Baltimore's Memorial Stadium left field bleachers for #500. It doesn't make a difference, because the Tigers win this contest 10-5.

Here is a great article written by the then 21 year old kid that caught the ball "on the fly". You don't need much more than this to show you things were simpler back in 1971.

At the time of his 500th bomb - Frank was only the 11th member of the club. Today the group has literally exploded with 25 current or former players claiming more than 500 home runs. Ten of those players joined the club from 1999 to 2009 -- calling into question what was once considered to be an automatic ticket into Cooperstown. Currently only confirmed PED users Mark McGwire and Rafael Palmeiro are the only eligible 500 HR Club members that have not been elected to the Hall. Rest assured that "on the outside looking in" list will grow in the near future as Bonds, ARod, Sosa, Manny, and Sheffield all become eligible.

Here is a cool AP article about Frank's 500th HR, including a definitive statement about his desire to become a big league manager.