Alex Rodriguez moves into third on all-time RBI list after 3-run HR

NEW YORK -- No player in the history of the American League has been credited with more RBIs than Alex Rodriguez.

Rodriguez hit a three-run homer off Kansas City Royals right-hander Chris Young in the third inning of Wednesday's 4-2 win at Yankee Stadium, giving him 1,995 career RBIs. He passed Lou Gehrig (1,993) and moved into third on the all-time list.

A-Rod already had moved past Babe Ruth, who is credited with 1,992 career RBIs. Ruth's total is incomplete because the RBI was recognized as an official stat by Elias, the official statistician of Major League Baseball, beginning in 1920. Ruth started playing in 1914.

"It's definitely an honor to be mentioned in the same breath as Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth," Rodriguez said. "It is any players dream; especially it is even more special to do it here at home at Yankee Stadium."

Next up on the official list for Rodriguez is Barry Bonds at 1,996. Hank Aaron has the all-time lead with 2,297.

"It is amazing," Yankees manager Joe Giardi said. "It is longevity, but it is also being productive for an extremely long time."

The home run was Rodriguez's 11th of the season and gave him 26 RBIs. He needs 19 more hits to reach 3,000 for his career.

Rodriguez also now has 665 career homers.

The 39-year-old slugger, who missed all of last year because of his involvement in the Biogenesis performance-enhancing drug scandal, entered this season with three years and $61 million remaining on his contract. He is expected to have the MLB Players Association dispute a $6 million marketing bonus agreement the Yankees declined to trigger following Rodriguez's 660th home run, which tied Willie Mays for fourth all time.