WHY ?GIVE UP THE 500 HOMERUN

Fred McGriff hit two homeruns in 72-at-bats in the 2004 season with the Tempa Bay Rays, to make the 493 total. He was simply not as good as before and was released by Tampa Bay. He was forced to retire, and did not manage to get another chance to go for the 500 club. However, the 500 homeruns is not a requirement for getting voted into the Baseball hall of fame, and if he makes it, then whether it is 493 or 500 will be irrelevant.