When it comes to Major League Baseball (MLB) history, there are plenty of records that have been set by some of the greatest players to ever step foot on a baseball diamond. One of those records is most career plate appearances (PA). It is a testament to the longevity of a player’s career, as it requires a player to stay healthy and consistent over a long period of time in order to accumulate enough plate appearances to be considered for such an honor. So, who has the most plate appearances in MLB history? Let’s take a look.
Rickey Henderson: The All-Time Leader
Rickey Henderson is the all-time leader in career plate appearances, with a whopping 12,401 during his 25-year professional career. The Hall of Famer played for nine teams during his career, and he was one of the most prolific base stealers of all time, setting the single-season record for most steals in 1982. Henderson’s longevity was one of the biggest factors in his ability to accumulate so many plate appearances, as he was able to stay healthy and productive into his late 30s.
Pete Rose: The Hit King
Pete Rose is one of the most iconic players in MLB history, and he is second on the all-time list in career plate appearances with 12,071. Rose, also known as “Charlie Hustle,” played in the Major Leagues from 1963 to 1986, and he was able to accumulate so many plate appearances due to his incredible work ethic and durability. Rose was a career .303 hitter, and he holds the record for most hits in MLB history with 4,256.
Hank Aaron: The All-Time Home Run King
Hank Aaron is third on the list of most career plate appearances, with 11,988 over his 23-year career. Aaron, who is widely considered one of the greatest hitters in baseball history, is the all-time leader in home runs with 755. He was able to accumulate such a large number of plate appearances due to his consistency, as he was able to remain productive into his late 30s and early 40s.
Cal Ripken Jr.: The Ironman
Cal Ripken Jr. is fourth on the list of most career plate appearances, with 11,551 during his 21-year career. Ripken is best known as the “Ironman” of baseball, having played 2,632 consecutive games, a record that still stands today. He was able to accumulate so many plate appearances due to his durability, as he was able to stay healthy throughout his career.
Carl Yastrzemski: The Last Triple Crown Winner
Carl Yastrzemski rounds out the top five on the all-time list, with 11,408 plate appearances over his 23-year career. Yastrzemski is the last player to win the Triple Crown, having accomplished the feat in 1967. He was able to accumulate so many plate appearances due to his consistency, as he was able to remain productive into his late 30s and early 40s.
Conclusion
When it comes to the most career plate appearances in MLB history, Rickey Henderson is the all-time leader with 12,401. He was able to accumulate so many plate appearances due to his longevity and incredible base stealing ability. Pete Rose, Hank Aaron, Cal Ripken Jr., and Carl Yastrzemski round out the top five, all having accumulated at least 11,000 plate appearances during their respective careers.