Giancarlo Stanton's Run to Baseball History

MIAMI, FL — Amid a standoff with North Korea and an uncomfortable tide of hatred coursing through America's veins, Giancarlo Stanton reminds us all what a thing of beauty it is to watch two simple strips of leather "tightly stitched" together into a sphere as it rises off the barrel of a single piece of solid wood.

When Stanton lets one fly, we inexplicably stop what we're doing and can't help but partake in a shared experience of watching a 5-ounce cork baseball travel farther than the laws of physics might lead us to believe possible. The 27-year-old Miami Marlin does it better than just about anybody and is on pace for baseball's holy grail — a 60 home-run season, joining the likes of Bonds, McGwire and Sosa.

Stanton broke the single-season Marlins home run record on Monday night when he let loose his 43rd of the year on a first-inning fastball over the left field wall of Marlins Park. He helped the Fish to an 8-3 win over the San Francisco Giants but also showed the world that he may be worthy to breathe the rarefied air of legends. The Marlins record had previously been set by Gary Sheffield back in 1996. (Sign up for our free Daily Newsletters and Breaking News Alerts for the Miami Patch.)

The Major League-leading home run star also achieved his 250th career shot, tying Frank Robinson as the 10th youngest player to reach that mark. Stanton hit his 44th home run of the season on Tuesday night, giving him his sixth in as many games. The home run streak came to an end on Wednesday, but Stanton still came away with two hits on the day.

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Stanton's 12 homes runs in July led Major League Baseball and put him in position to make a run for a 60 home run season.

Watch video compilation of Stanton's 2017 home runs:

Video and photo courtesy of Major League Baseball and the Miami Marlins