Miguel Cabrera has been hot to start the 2022 season in his quest for 3,000 hits. After starting the year 13 hits off from joining the exclusive club, Cabrera is batting .308 in 12 games played. He has 12 hits on the year, and is entering Friday’s game against the Rockies with 2,999 hits — one off from joining some prestigious company.
Barring a major drought, it’s likely Cabrera will be celebrating his milestone at home. The Tigers play their next three games at Comerica Park against the Rockies before going on the road to face the Twins on Tuesday.
Cabrera is also primed to join an even more exclusive subsection of the 3,000 hits club. With his Triple Crown in 2012, Cabrera will become one of just three players to win a Triple Crown and get to 3,000 hits for his career.
MORE: Next to 3,000 hits: Why it could be a long time until another MLB star follows Miguel Cabrera
As Cabrera prepares to join the club, whether it be Friday or beyond, Sporting News is taking a look at the 3,000 hits club and the company Cabrera will be joining.
How many MLB players have 3,000 hits?
Thirty-two players have 3,000 hits heading into Friday, with Cabrera poised to become No. 33. Just two players — Pete Rose and Ty Cobb — have gotten to 4,000 career hits.
Rose still holds the record at 4,256 career hits. Roberto Clemente is the gatekeeper, having reached 3,000 hits in the final game of his career before his tragic death on New Year’s Eve in 1972.
Cabrera and Albert Pujols would be the only active players with more than 3,000 hits, with the 42-year-old Pujols leading active players at 3,308 hits.
| Player | Hits |
| Pete Rose | 4,256 |
| Ty Cobb | 4,189 |
| Hank Aaron | 3,771 |
| Stan Musial | 3,630 |
| Tris Speaker | 3,514 |
| Derek Jeter | 3,465 |
| Honus Wagner | 3,430 |
| Carl Yastrzemski | 3,419 |
| Paul Molitor | 3,319 |
| Eddie Collins | 3,315 |
| Albert Pujols | 3,308 |
| Willie Mays | 3,293 |
| Eddie Murray | 3,255 |
| Nap Lajoie | 3,252 |
| Cal Ripken Jr. | 3,184 |
| Adrián Beltré | 3,166 |
| George Brett | 3,154 |
| Paul Waner | 3,152 |
| Robin Yount | 3,142 |
| Tony Gwynn | 3,141 |
| Alex Rodriguez | 3,115 |
| Dave Winfield | 3,110 |
| Ichiro Suzuki | 3,089 |
| Craig Biggio | 3,060 |
| Rickey Henderson | 3,055 |
| Rod Carew | 3,053 |
| Lou Brock | 3,023 |
| Rafael Palmeiro | 3,020 |
| Cap Anson | 3,011 |
| Wade Boggs | 3,010 |
| Al Kaline | 3,007 |
| Roberto Clemente | 3,000 |
| Miguel Cabrera | 2,999 |
Last player to get 3,000 hits
The most recent player to get to 3,000 hits was Pujols in 2018, with Pujols taking a single the other way with the Angels against the Seattle Mariners.
MLB players with 3,000 hits, 500 home runs
Further narrowing down Cabrera’s company, he will become the seventh player to get to 3,000 hits while also raking 500 home runs. Cabrera became the 28th player to get to 500 home runs last year in August against the Blue Jays.
| Player | Hits | Home Runs |
| Hank Aaron | 3,771 | 755 |
| Albert Pujols | 3,308 | 681 |
| Willie Mays | 3,283 | 660 |
| Eddie Murray | 3,255 | 504 |
| Alex Rodriguez | 3,155 | 696 |
| Rafael Palmeiro | 3,020 | 569 |
| Miguel Cabrera | 2,999 | 502 |
Triple Crown winners
There have been 12 Triple Crown winners in MLB history, with the crown going to players who lead their league in batting average, home runs, and RBI. Cabrera won the Triple Crown in 2012, becoming the most recent player to do so. Eight Triple Crowns have been won in the American League, whereas it’s been done four times in the National League.
| Player | Year |
| Miguel Cabrera | 2012 |
| Carl Yastrzemski | 1967 |
| Frank Robinson | 1966 |
| Mickey Mantle | 1956 |
| Ted Williams | 1947 |
| Ted Williams | 1942 |
| Joe Medwick | 1937 |
| Lou Gehrig | 1934 |
| Jimmie Foxx | 1933 |
| Chuck Klein | 1933 |
| Rogers Hornsby | 1925 |
| Rogers Hornsby | 1925 |
Of the 12 Triple Crown winners, Cabrera will join Yastrzemski and Robinson as the only players to win a Triple Crown and get to 3,000 hits.