Jose Altuve Hits 2,500 Career Mark, Eyes 3,000 for Hall of Fame Case
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The Houston Astros second baseman reached a career milestone Wednesday, but his path to Cooperstown may depend on reaching the 3,000-hit club.
Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve recorded his 2,500th career hit with a double during Wednesday's 11-7 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies, as CBS Sports first reported.
While 2,500 hits is a significant marker, CBS Sports reports that the 3,000-hit club is the gold standard for Hall of Fame induction. Historically, every player to reach 3,000 hits has been inducted, with exceptions including Alex Rodriguez and Rafael Palmeiro due to PED ties, Pete Rose due to a previous ban, and Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera, who are not yet eligible.
Altuve's candidacy is complicated by the 2017 sign-stealing scandal, a situation that CBS Sports notes may have delayed the induction of Carlos Beltrán. Because Altuve won the MVP in 2017 and played through the heart of the alleged operation, some voters may view his prime with skepticism.
Reaching 3,000 hits is an uphill climb. Altuve is currently in his age-36 season and is signed through 2029. CBS Sports notes he has 112 hits this year as a .244 hitter, down from 185 last season. Using Bill James' "favorite toy" projection system, CBS Sports reports Altuve is projected to finish with 2,791 hits, giving him only an 8% chance of reaching 3,000. Even with an aggressive estimate for the remainder of the current season, that probability only rises to 11%.
Without the 3,000-hit milestone, Altuve's case relies on his standing among second basemen. CBS Sports reports he currently ranks 19th in JAWS all-time at the position, placing him ahead of Ian Kinsler and Dustin Pedroia, but behind legends like Craig Biggio, Roberto Alomar, and Lou Whitaker.