St. Louis Cardinals Jim Edmonds launches a second inning two run home run off of Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Kazuhisa Ishii September 4, 2004 in St. Louis. REUTERS/Tim Parker

 

 

St. Louis Cardinals Jim Edmonds (L) is greeted at home plate by teammate Scott Rolen after hitting a second inning two-run home run off Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Kazuhisa Ishii September 4, 2004 in St. Louis. REUTERS/Tim Parker

 

 

Jim Edmonds waves to the crowd after belting the 300th home run of his career. (Scott Rovak/Cardinals)

 

Edmonds 300th Powers Marquis

 

ST. LOUIS -- Nearly every night it's another milestone for another Cardinal. Somebody reaches a career high in wins, or RBIs, or something. On Saturday, it was several wrapped up in one swing.

 

Jim Edmonds became the 103rd player in Major League history to reach 300 career home runs when he cranked a 2-1 pitch from Kazuhisa Ishii deep to right field in the second inning. The dinger also gave him 40 this season, the second time in his career that he's reached that marker, and gave the Cards two 40-HR men for the first time in franchise history.

 

That sent the Redbirds on their way to a 5-1 win over the National League West-leading Dodgers and gave them their eighth straight win, tying a season high. Jason Marquis also got in on the fun, extending his winning streak to 11 consecutive decisions.

 

Edmonds has gone deep nine times in the past 10 games and 19 times since the All-Star break. He has helped fuel a St. Louis surge in which the team has built an all-but-impregnable 17-game lead in the NL Central. The Cardinals are 38-11 since the break, a Major League-best 91-44 overall and their magic number to clinch the division is 12.

 

Edmonds hits 300th career homer

 

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Jim Edmonds hit his 300th career home run in the second inning Saturday night, giving the St. Louis Cardinals their first pair of 40-homer men in franchise history.

 

Edmonds connected on a 2-1 pitch from Kazuhisa Ishii for a two-run homer, his 40th of the season, to give the Cardinals a 2-0 lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

 

He's the 103rd player to hit 300 homers -- and the fifth this year, joining Tino Martinez, Edgar Martinez, Chipper Jones and Ruben Sierra.

 

Albert Pujols was tied for the NL lead with 43 homers, matching his career best.

 

(Now that Edmonds has reached 300 I was wondering if anyone thinks he can reach 400? I think it's possible but truthfully he doesnt have many years left to do it! )

Yes he will reach 400+ HRs. He has such a sweet swing and plays awesome CF, i just love him.

Edmonds, Marquis lead Cards

 

In five years as a Cardinal, Edmonds has gone deep 179 times. He totaled 121 long balls in four full years and parts of three others for the California/Anaheim Angels.

 

"I never thought I would ever be in this situation," he said. "I never thought I would have 50 home runs or 100 home runs, let alone 300. Obviously with playing in a city with Mark McGwire having (583), and now Barry (Bonds) playing with almost 700, 300 is not a big deal.

 

"But it's pretty cool. I never thought I'd have more than 10, 20, 30 maybe. I don't think I hit more than 15 in the minor leagues in five years. So it's nice, but I'm just really trying to focus in on winning games and getting to the postseason."

 

McGwire, a friend of Edmonds' since they played together for four two years as Cardinals, was one of the first to call to congratulate the center fielder -- and also to tweak him a little bit.

 

"To quote from the phone call I just got, I need 253 more to catch Mark or something like that," Edmonds said. "He just left me a message. I can't remember the number he said, but I've got a long way to go for him and I don't think I'm gonna make it. I'm just glad we're playing well and happy to be able to play this long."

 

"Three hundred bombs? Some of us never got 30 balls out of the infield," La Russa said. "To think he hit 300 home runs... he's had just a huge, huge season. He's been terrific in a Cardinal uniform, and he was roundly honored and congratulated by the ballclub. Everybody knew what he was shooting for. It's a tremendous plateau, so congratulations."

 

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Congrats to him

he will end his career with abut 420 and get some hof consideration...his defense is key

That's what I was thinking.. He'll be over 400 or so but he has to remain healthy and we all know his history of injuries..

 

I'll give him about 4 more years left in his career.. He would have to average 25 homers a year assuming he wont hit another this year which would be a joke to say that..

 

Very possible he'll get it but you never know if he's not healthy

I'm not sure.

 

 

I want to say yes....but I'm not sure if Jimmy has that much left in the tank.

 

 

he will get between 380-430 in his career.

He'll reach 400 easily by the end of his career. He'll probably also get serious HOF consideration.

If he stays healthy, yes.