Only 33 players in the entire history of Major League Baseball have ever crossed the 3,000-hit threshold. We’re talking about over 20,000 guys who’ve laced up cleats, and just 33 absolute legends did it. As of September 9th, Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman is staring down that insane milestone, just 413 hits away. This isn’t just about a career stat, it’s about cementing a legacy that puts you in the most exclusive club baseball has ever known.
Freeman’s Unstoppable Push for History
Freddie Freeman is currently the active hit leader in MLB, and honestly, it feels like he’s not that far off from 3,000 hits at all. He’s turning 37 before the 2026 postseason, which for most guys would mean the end is near, but Freeman is different. This year alone, he’s stacked up 156 hits, and his three-year average is sitting at 157.7. If he can just keep that level of production going for three more years, he’s pulling it off.
Of course, there are concerns. His health is always tied to his age, and while he’s somehow thrived despite significant injuries that could have derailed anyone else, getting older means the small things feel like bigger things. We’ve even seen a dip in his power this year. But here’s the thing: even if he transforms into more of a singles hitter in his age-37, -38, and -39 campaigns, those knocks all count the same toward 3,000. He’s the most likely one to reach it, not just because he’s closest, but because the guy is still genuinely, ridiculously good even in his late-30s.
Altuve’s Fascinating, Yet Fading, Pursuit
Then there’s Jose Altuve, the Houston Astros second baseman. He’s No. 103 in the 2,500 hits club as of September 9th, so he’s in seriously elite company already. But as close as he seems to 3,000, he’s also maybe not that close. It’s a distinct possibility he makes it, sure, despite his age and a bat that’s definitely diminishing. Altuve’s career absolutely took off when he was a high-average machine, leading the American League in hits for four consecutive years from 2014 through 2017. He snagged batting titles in three of those seasons, too.
However, he hasn’t come close to those insane levels since. He piled up 1,189 hits in his first six full seasons, but then only 1,250 in his next nine, which includes his nearly complete 2026 season. That drop-off is real. Plus, second basemen tend to age poorly because they often play that position due to missing some tools or skills. So, while Altuve’s chase is fascinating, it feels a lot more uphill than Freeman’s.
These guys aren’t just chasing numbers; they’re chasing baseball immortality. Watching Freeman and Altuve battle time and their bodies for a shot at 3,000 hits is going to be some of the most compelling baseball to follow in the coming years.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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