Its doors have been opened to only 20 sluggers in baseball history. However, this season, as many as five players may hit their 500th homer.

Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Frank Thomas is the closest as he has 487 while Chicago White Sox DH Jim Thome has 472, Boston Red Sox left fielder Manny Ramirez has 470, New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez has 464, and Detroit Tigers DH Gary Sheffield has 455.

However, two questions arise when it comes to the 500-homer club: do all the recent additions cheapen the honor, and is it tainted because of the steroid allegations that have swirled around the game in recent years? Thome certainly doesn’t think so and looks forward to reaching the milestone at some point this season.

"You understand how hard the work is to get where you're at,” Thome told the Chicago Tribune. "It’s not easy. It's definitely kind of neat. What's neat is the guys mentioned and the guys in that club. You know what good players they are. To be that close to an elite club like that is an honor in itself."

White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko says there is no question that Thome will be remembered as a legitimate power hitter who did not cheat.