3000 Hits Baseballs

3,000 Hits Hand Painted Baseball Series.

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Each baseball features three members of the 3,000 hit club.

On the back of each ball are the player's statistics. Their hits total, their lifetime batting average and how many season's they played.

Here are a few interesting facts about this exclusive club which now has 28 members.

On July 18, 1897, Cap Anson became the first member of the 3,000 hits club.

Ty Cobb, who was the fourth member, became the first player to reach 4,000 hits in 1927.

Pete Rose passed Cobb on September 11, 1985 when he got a single off of San Diego Padre's Eric Show for hit number 4,192. Rose ended his career as the all time hits leader with 4,256 hits.

On September 30, 1972, The Pittsburgh Pirates' Roberto Clemente hit a double off of the Met's Jon Matlack for his 3,000th hit. It was the final hit of his career.

Only three players hit home runs for their 3,000th hit. Derek Jeter and Wade Boggs and Alex Rodriguez.

Of the 29 members, 15 were right handed batters and 12 were left handed. Two were switch hitters. (Can you name them?)

The Cleveland Indians are the only club to have three players reach this milestone while on their roster. Nap Lajoie, Tris Speaker and Eddie Murray.

Five members are also members of the 500 Home Run Club. Alex Rodriguez, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Eddie Murray and Rafael Palmeiro.

Ty Cobb has the highest lifetime batting average in the club at .367. Cal Ripken, Jr. has the lowest average at .276.

Paul Molitor is the only member who's 3,000th hit was a triple.

Craig Biggio was out at second trying to stretch his hit into a double.

Biggio and Jeter are the only members to join the club in a game in which they had five hits.

As for the Baseball Hall Of Fame.. All eligible members have been elected except for Palmeiro. Jeter and A Rod are not yet eligible. And of course, we all know that Pete Rose has been declared permanently ineligible.

If you are interested in this series or any of these hand painted baseballs individually, contact me.