Baseball is a sport that is steeped in tradition. Throughout its history, there have been numerous players who have achieved amazing feats and have become legends in the game. One of the most impressive accomplishments a player can have is to hit 700 home runs and collect 3000 hits in their career. To date, there are only five players in Major League Baseball (MLB) history to have achieved this milestone.
Barry Bonds
The first player to reach this milestone was Barry Bonds. Bonds is one of the most accomplished hitters in MLB history, and his 700 home runs and 3000 hits is a testament to his greatness. He achieved this feat in 2007, and he is the only player in MLB history to have hit more than 700 home runs. He is also the all-time leader in walks and intentional walks, and he ranks second in on-base percentage and slugging percentage. Bonds is a seven-time National League MVP and he won eight Gold Glove awards.
Hank Aaron
The second player to reach this milestone was Hank Aaron. Aaron is considered to be one of the greatest hitters in MLB history and his career accomplishments are impressive. He hit 755 home runs and collected 3,771 hits in his career. He was also a 15-time All-Star, a World Series champion, and a three-time Gold Glove winner. Aaron is one of just four players to have hit more than 700 home runs and collected more than 3000 hits.
Alex Rodriguez
The third player to reach this milestone was Alex Rodriguez. Rodriguez is one of the most prolific hitters of all-time and he is the only active player to have hit 700 home runs and collected 3000 hits. He achieved this feat in 2015, and he is the all-time leader in home runs hit by a shortstop. He is also a 14-time All-Star, a three-time American League MVP, and he won two Gold Glove awards.
Willie Mays
The fourth player to reach this milestone was Willie Mays. Mays is one of the greatest players in MLB history and he is considered to be one of the greatest all-around players of all time. He hit 660 home runs and collected 3,283 hits in his career. He was also a 24-time All-Star, a two-time National League MVP, and he won 12 Gold Glove awards.
Rafael Palmeiro
The fifth and final player to reach this milestone was Rafael Palmeiro. Palmeiro is one of the most underrated players in MLB history and his career accomplishments are often overlooked. He hit 569 home runs and collected 3,020 hits in his career. He was also a four-time All-Star, a three-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and he won one Gold Glove award.
Conclusion
Only five players in MLB history have achieved the impressive feat of hitting 700 home runs and collecting 3000 hits. These players include Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, Alex Rodriguez, Willie Mays, and Rafael Palmeiro. Each of these players is an all-time great and their accomplishments will be remembered for years to come.