Eugenio Suarez Makes History with Midseason Home Run Milestone
Eugenio Suarez’s journey with the Seattle Mariners has been a mix of challenges and opportunities since he was traded from Arizona. Wednesday night, however, brought a glimmer of hope as Suarez unleashed his 10th home run as a Mariner. This pivotal moment could signal a resurgence as the season heads into its final stretch.
Despite the ups and downs, Suarez has etched his name into MLB history by securing the second spot on a unique leaderboard that tracks home runs hit in a season where players represented two different teams. With his latest blast, Suarez now boasts a total of 46 home runs this season—36 of which were hit while with the Diamondbacks and 10 with Seattle.
This impressive feat allows Suarez to surpass the previous record held by J.D. Martinez, who hit 45 home runs in 2017. The only player standing ahead of Suarez is the legendary Mark McGwire. During his 1997 season, when McGwire transitioned from the Oakland Athletics to the St. Louis Cardinals, he belted a remarkable 58 home runs—an achievement that seems untouchable this season.
Suarez’s milestone places him among other notable sluggers. David Justice (2000) and Greg Vaughn (1996) both hit 41 home runs during their respective seasons after midseason trades. This eclectic group highlights the rarity of such power production from players who have changed teams in the middle of a campaign.
While the circumstances leading to trades often involve team dynamics, player contracts, and playoff contention, Suarez’s achievement stands out. As he moves forward in the final season of his contract, his 46-home run mark not only showcases his talent but also cements his legacy as one of the best sluggers to have been traded midseason. It’s a remarkable feat that adds an exciting chapter to his career.