He’s been playing major league baseball for less than two decades, but Alex Rodriguez has already matched the record of one of the sport’s all-time greats.

During the New York Yankees’ 6-4 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night, the 36-year-old Dominican American baseball star hit his 23rd career grand slam, matching Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig‘s record.

The Yankees had only been 10 for 67 (.149) with the bases loaded this season before Rodriguez hit his tying shot. Minutes later, Rodriguez paused to savor his shared place with Gehrig in baseball history.

“It means a lot,” Rodriguez said. “It’s very special. This game is very, very difficult. If you’re not going to enjoy these great moments, then it’s not any fun. Lou Gehrig is not only one of the all-time greats, but he’s one of ours.”

Yankees manager Joe Girardi called it “absolutely incredible” that Rodriguez equaled Gehrig’s mark.

“It’s hard to fathom what he’s been able to do in his career,” Girardi said. “To be mentioned with Lou Gehrig, that’s special.”

Rodriguez had been 1 for 10 this season with the bases loaded before he lined the full-count pitch over the left field wall. Braves left fielder Martin Prado barely moved as he watched the homer clear the wall.

“I made a bad pitch and he crushed it,” said Braves pitcher Jonny Venters. “I have no excuses. I felt great mechanically. I felt great physically. I
just fell behind some hitters. … I threw a pitch right down the middle, 3-2, to one of the best hitters in the game. I feel bad I let my team down.”

Rodriguez’s homer was his 10th of the season and first grand slam.