Kepler sets single-season HR record for European-born players
Dylan Buell / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Max Kepler stands alone.
The Minnesota Twins outfielder hit his 33rd home run of the season Friday, smashing a fourth-inning blast off Texas Rangers left-hander Mike Minor to set the single-season record for the most home runs by a European-born MLB player.
Kepler, who was born in Germany, broke the previous record of 32 set in 1951 by Scotland native Bobby Thomson.
Thomson, then a member of the New York Giants, famously hit the "Shot Heard 'Round the World" against the Brooklyn Dodgers to clinch the 1951 National League pennant.
Kepler's 33rd dinger marks a career-high and moved the 26-year-old into third among the American League's home run leaders.
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