This week saw a couple of big numbers in sports. Alex Rodriguez finally hit his 600^th home run. Stuart Appleby shot a 59 and won the Greenbrier Classic.  These are both big sports milestones. A-Rod is one of 7 to hit 600 homers, and Appleby is one 5 to shoot a 59. Sports radio is still buzzing about the 600. Google “59” and Appleby comes up in the top 5 results. These are big.

But which one is bigger?
Any one of us can go out and play a par 70 course, maybe even get on the exact same course that Appleby shot his 59, and give it a shot. Our game would be without the press in our face, the crowds following, three days of golf leading into the big day and no real money on the line. But we could try shooting a 59.

There is no way we could even begin to set up for 600 homers. Maybe in a softball league, but when does a regular guy really get a chance to even step onto a baseball field without getting arrested?

The skill needed to shoot a 59 is huge. Tiger doesn’t even have a 59. No one can get lucky for 18 holes in a row. The math is stacked against it. Hitting a baseball certainly takes skill, but it seems like a strong, young player has more of a chance at 600 over a long career. No that 600 is inevitable, but it seems achievable with the right player.

A 59 requires so many more elements outside the player’s control to come together. It also requires more types of skill to hold it together. A golfer has to be able to hit the driver, short game and putt. Hitting homers is more about repeating the same type of skill consistently over time.

Both of these are huge achievements, but I am going with the 59 as the more difficult to achieve.

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Tags: 600 59, A-Rod, Alex Rodriguez, baseball, golf, Stuart Appleby