There will be those who immediately feel odd about this, somehow feel like Giancarlo Stanton isn't a Hall of Famer. But if the New York Yankees slugger continues on his current track, and not even for all that much longer, he's almost a no-doubt selection. It all comes down to one magic number: 500.

NEW YORK — With the way Giancarlo Stanton has been swinging the bat of late — and Aaron Judge relegated to a DH-only role as he recovers from his right flexor strain — the Yankees need to do everything they can to keep the slugger in the starting lineup.

Giancarlo Stanton’s return to the outfield was cautious, planned and brief. At least for now.One day after starting in right field for the first time since September 2023, Stanton was out of the Yankees’ lineup Sunday against the Astros.