By STEPHEN HAWKINS, AP Sports Writer
May 11, 2003

AP - May 11, 4:29 pm EDT

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- Texas slugger and former Mississippi State standout Rafael Palmeiro hit his 500th career homer in his last chance to get it at home.

Palmeiro hit a three-run homer in the seventh off Cleveland right-hander David Elder to become the second player to reach the milestone this season as the Rangers beat the Indians 17-10 Sunday.

Palmeiro became just the 19th player ever to join the 500-homer club, following Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs, who did it April 4.

With the crowd standing in anticipation, knowing Palmeiro wasn't likely to get another at-bat, the left-hander hit a full-count fastball 370 feet over the right field fence. The Rangers play their next six games on the road.

Fireworks exploded in the daylight sky and the crowd broke out into a loud and extended ovation. Like all of his previous homers, there was no posing and no strutting after the ball left the bat. Palmeiro dropped his bat and trotted around the bases.

His teammates mobbed him at the plate, and as the crowd chanted ``Raffy!'' he came out of the dugout for a curtain call.

Palmeiro return to the field to star the seventh inning, but only so that the crowd of 23,407 would have another chance to cheer the first baseman. Before the inning started, Herbert Perry replaced Palmeiro.

This marked the third time two players have hit the historic homer in the same season. Mickey Mantle and Eddie Mathews did it in 1967, and Harmon Killebrew and Frank Robinson in 1971.

Los Angeles' Fred McGriff could make it three with 17 more homers this season.

Among those at the game were Palmeiro's mother, Maria, and his brother Rick, who had arrived from Miami on Wednesday.

Congrats!!! He's da man!!!!! He has joined a very elite fraternity!!!! Something for he AND State to be proud of!!