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New York Yankees News: Mark Teixeira On Pace to Hit His Goal

By FanSided User

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Before the 2015 season began, Mark Teixeira, a notoriously slow-starter, had hit 20 home runs in the first half of the season three times. In those three seasons, Teixeira ended up hitting a combined 121 home runs, drove in 377 runs, won a World Series, and came in second in MVP voting.

The Yankees are hoping 2015 will fit right in.

For the first time since 2011, Teixeira has finished the first half with 20 home runs. With 62 RBIs, also his highest first-half total since 2011, he is leading the American League. And to top it off, he made his first All-Star appearance since 2009.

For Teixeira, the 30 home run, 100 RBI season – which he has achieved eight times in his career – is the goal. At this rate, he will reach that total with 29 games left in the season.

"It’s a good head start,” Teixeira said. “Not to say that I’m going to stop when I get [to 30 home runs and 100 RBIs]. You want to keep producing all year long. As a power hitter, my entire career that’s been the number. If you’re a speed guy you want a certain amount of stolen bases. If you’re an average guy, you want .300. The 30 and a 100 hundred for a run producer or a home run hitter that’s kind of the magic number you want to see. Hopefully I get there this year."

Teixeira attributes his success to his health. He has been battling injuries for a few seasons now, limiting him to just 15 games in 2013 and 123 games in 2012 and 2014. So far in 2015, he has sat out of only six games.

"There’s the health and then there’s performance,” he said. “I hadn’t really been healthy or performed in two years. Once the health was there, it took April for me to really kind of get settled into the season and realize that the swing is feeling good. I’m hitting the ball out of the ballpark. Doing the things that I was used to being able to do."

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