Al Kaline collects his 3,000th career hit in the Major Leagues. Kaline became just the 12th member to enter the 3,000 Hit Club, joining fellow Tiger Ty Cobb. The double came off Baltimore Orioles pitcher Dave McNally in his 10,096th career at-bat.
Kaline spent 22 years in the league, all with Detroit. He ultimately collected 3,007 hits along with 399 homeruns and 1,582 RBI while posting a career 92.8 WAR. During his career Kaline was an 18x All-Star, 10x Gold Glove Winner, won the 1955 AL Batting Championship and was a 1x World Series Champion in 1968. He was also elected to the Hall of Fame in 1980.
It’s hard not to think that had he not been hurt multiple times in his career that Kaline would have ended with somewhere between 3,300-3,500 hits, 450 homeruns and possible would have joined the 1,800 RBI club as well. It is also possible that he may have earned a second batting title in 1962 had he not played in only 100 games.