I stumbled across another of my articles from Baseball Nation about the 3,000 Hit Club. At the time, Jeter had just joined the club and many people were suggesting the Club "ain't what it used to be" because the Club was apparently under assault by the likes of Johnny Damon and Omar Vizquel. (Technically, it may still be as both still want to play this year.) I also made a brief mention of Pudge toward the end of the article who ultimately retired before challenging Mr. Clemente. Here was my take on the exclusiveness of the 3,000 Hit Club:
Not to get off on a rant here, but...
Ever since Derek Jeter joined the 3,000 hit club I have read some articles questioning the impressiveness of this achievement. In fact, a common argument stems from some of the next potential members. It seems if Omar Vizquel and/or Johnny Damon crash the party then all hope is lost.
Now, I am no Jeter fan (see 2010 All-Star Game), but 3,000 hits is still impressive and exclusive. I don't care if Damon or Omar get there. I seem to remember a similar discussion about Al Oliver being a shoo-in and he didn't make it. I also recollect Frank Robinson being a mortal lock for 600 homers and he stalled at 586. In fact, go to the Babe Ruth museum and see who sponsored Ruth's 600 Homerun...it's Frank and he inscribed something to the effect "For when I get here." I am pretty sure more than one person assumed Mattingly was going to conquer both 500 homers and 3,000 hits.
The beauty of the 3,000 hit club is that it has always included members who got there in a multitude of ways. Sure, you have Wade Boggs and (his hero and mine) George Brett who hit for high averages but there is also room for Lou Brock and Cal Ripken Jr who weren't .300 hitters. While you get the natural born contact hitters like Tony Gwynn, you also get power guys like Aaron and Murray. You want controversy? Look no further than #1 on the list, and I don't mean Pete Rose. Sure Pete is controversial and sits at #1, but I am talking about the club's 1st member. It seems Cap Anson's exact hit total changes every couple of years because in his playing days walks counted as hits. There's a DH in the club (Paul Molitor), an "accidental" steroid user (Palmeiro), a guy loved by everyone (Musial) and a guy hated by everyone (Cobb). We get a humanitarian standing at the gate like a vigilant guard protecting the entrance waiting to gun anyone out with the flick of his wrist (Clemente) and a pariah at the top of the list betting no one will approach his hallowed mark (Rose). There is the prototypical athlete who could have played any sport (Winfield) and the atypical member who could play any position (Biggio). You have a player who was so well thought of his team changed their name to his (Lajoie) but you also have a player who was sometimes booed by his own fans (Yaz). There's the flashy players like Rickey and the Say Hey Kid and the blue-collar players like Kaline and Yount.
To me the 3,000 hit club is the one club that truly reflects everything great about baseball. From angels to assholes, it's the one club for everyone, but not just anyone. You have to earn your way in or Clemente will stop you in your tracks. So I say good luck to Omar and Damon (and Pudge for that matter), you'll need it.
But that's just me, I could be wrong.
Not to get off on a rant here, but...
Ever since Derek Jeter joined the 3,000 hit club I have read some articles questioning the impressiveness of this achievement. In fact, a common argument stems from some of the next potential members. It seems if Omar Vizquel and/or Johnny Damon crash the party then all hope is lost.
Now, I am no Jeter fan (see 2010 All-Star Game), but 3,000 hits is still impressive and exclusive. I don't care if Damon or Omar get there. I seem to remember a similar discussion about Al Oliver being a shoo-in and he didn't make it. I also recollect Frank Robinson being a mortal lock for 600 homers and he stalled at 586. In fact, go to the Babe Ruth museum and see who sponsored Ruth's 600 Homerun...it's Frank and he inscribed something to the effect "For when I get here." I am pretty sure more than one person assumed Mattingly was going to conquer both 500 homers and 3,000 hits.
The beauty of the 3,000 hit club is that it has always included members who got there in a multitude of ways. Sure, you have Wade Boggs and (his hero and mine) George Brett who hit for high averages but there is also room for Lou Brock and Cal Ripken Jr who weren't .300 hitters. While you get the natural born contact hitters like Tony Gwynn, you also get power guys like Aaron and Murray. You want controversy? Look no further than #1 on the list, and I don't mean Pete Rose. Sure Pete is controversial and sits at #1, but I am talking about the club's 1st member. It seems Cap Anson's exact hit total changes every couple of years because in his playing days walks counted as hits. There's a DH in the club (Paul Molitor), an "accidental" steroid user (Palmeiro), a guy loved by everyone (Musial) and a guy hated by everyone (Cobb). We get a humanitarian standing at the gate like a vigilant guard protecting the entrance waiting to gun anyone out with the flick of his wrist (Clemente) and a pariah at the top of the list betting no one will approach his hallowed mark (Rose). There is the prototypical athlete who could have played any sport (Winfield) and the atypical member who could play any position (Biggio). You have a player who was so well thought of his team changed their name to his (Lajoie) but you also have a player who was sometimes booed by his own fans (Yaz). There's the flashy players like Rickey and the Say Hey Kid and the blue-collar players like Kaline and Yount.
To me the 3,000 hit club is the one club that truly reflects everything great about baseball. From angels to assholes, it's the one club for everyone, but not just anyone. You have to earn your way in or Clemente will stop you in your tracks. So I say good luck to Omar and Damon (and Pudge for that matter), you'll need it.
But that's just me, I could be wrong.
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