OC Register: Albert Pujols joins 3,000-hit club — Is he the fourth-greatest hitter in history?

[AngelsWin.com]

Albert Pujols is the 32nd Major League player to have 3,000 hits. He is also one of four players to have 3,000 hits and more than 600 home runs. Here’s a look at his career and how it stacks up to the greatest in history.

The road to 3,000

Albert Pujols is playing in his 18th season. In nine of his first 17 seasons, he had more than 180 hits. His high as an Angel is 173 in 2012.

You can see his career stats on MLB.com here.

Career hit totals:April/March: 473May: 525June: 466July:498August: 527Sept./Oct.: 509Lineup position:1st: 12nd: 13rd: 2,3714th: 5565th: 446th: 177th: 38th: 19th: 4Best counts:1-1: 3860-1: 377

Power and production

Here’s how Pujols stacks up against the others with 3,000 hits and 600 home runs, who would be on the Mount Rushmore of hitters.

.The top three players on the all-time hits list are Pete Rose: 4,256, Ty Cobb: 4,191 and Hank Aaron: 3,771.

You can see the list of players with 3,000 hits here.

Pujols reached the 3,000 mark sooner than Alex Rodriguez and Willie Mays, but not as fast as Hank Aaron.

Hit chart for Albert Pujols 2017 season from Baseballsavant.

 

Source: Baseball Reference, MLB, Los Angeles Angels, Baseballsavant.mlb.com

Illustration by Jeff Goertzen, staff

 

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