It’s a big deal because it’s Willie Mays. And because it’s Alex Rodriguez. And because it’s never been done before. Not like this, anyway.
Yes, Mays is “only” fourth on the all-time home run list. But ask almost anyone whose memory goes back that far and they will tell you Mays is the best player they ever saw. They don’t even have to think about it. He represents the best player from the most storied era–post-integration and the early days of television. The When-It-Was-A-Game generation.
And the number is one of those beautiful sports numbers: 660.