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Top 10 Most Hits in MLB History: 2023 Edition

most hits in MLB season

Baseball is a game of statistics, and the most hits in MLB history is one of the most significant of those stats.

Most Hits in MLB History

A hit in baseball requires a combination of skill, hand-eye coordination, and timing. We take a look at the 10 players with the most hits in MLB history and what made them so good. 

10. Paul Molitor (3,319)

Paul Molitor was a versatile player known for his hitting and speed on the basepaths. He played 21 seasons in Major League Baseball with the Milwaukee Brewers, Toronto Blue Jays, and Minnesota Twins, winning a World Series championship with the Blue Jays in 1993.

Molitor finished his career with the 10th most hits in MLB history with 3,319 in total. The seven-time All-Star is known as being one of the best leadoff hitters in baseball, and was also known for being an excellent base stealer with 504 stolen bases during his career.

9. Albert Pujols (3,384)

Albert Pujols played 22 seasons in the MLB with the St. Louis Cardinals, LA Angels and LA Dodgers. Pujols is an 11-time All-Star, three-time National League MVP, and two-time Gold Glove winner.

At his peak, some consider him to be the greatest hitter in history and he registered 3,384 hits and scored 703 home runs. Pujol showed great patience and pure power throughout his career and he won two World Series championships in St Louis.

8. Carl Yastrzemski (3,419)

Carl Yastrzemski spent his entire 23-year career with the Boston Red Sox and is an 18-time All-Star. He showed great fielding ability during his career and won seven Gold Glove awards.

Retiring at the end of the 1983 season, Yastrzemski won three batting titles, the Triple Crown and American League MVP in 1967. His 3,419 hits is the 8th most hits in MLB history and he’ll be remembered for his clutch hitting.

7. Honus Wagner (3,420)

Honus Wagner led the 1909 Pittsburgh Pirates to a 110-42 record and World Series championship, and he’s considered to be one of the greatest shortstops of all time. Wagner won eight National League batting titles and finished his career with a .328 batting average.

One of the greatest dead-ball era players, he had exceptional hitting abilities and finished his career with 3,420 hits, the seventh most hits in MLB history. The Pirates legend hit .300-or-better for 15 seasons in a row beginning from 1899, and he won eight National League batting titles. 

6. Derek Jeter (3,465)

One of the best shortstops of all time and one of baseball’s most iconic players, Derek Jeter spent his entire 20-year career with the New York Yankees and won five World Series championships with the team. A 14-time All-Star, he won five Gold Glove awards and was known for his fielding abilities.

Jeter could bat too, and he was known for his clutch hitting and numerous MLB playoff records. He finished his career with 3,465 hits, good for sixth on the all-time list, and earned the nickname “Captain Clutch” for his ability to perform under pressure. 

5. Tris Speaker (3,514)

Tris Speaker was one of the greatest outfielders in baseball history and holds the all-time record for assists by an outfielder with 449. Aside from his phenomenal defensive abilities, he also holds records for his hitting. 

Speaker has the fifth most hits in MLB history with 3,514, and holds the record for most doubles with 792. In an era known for pitching, Speaker was a great contact hitter and finished with two American League batting titles, and a .345 batting average.

4. Stan Musial (3,630)

Stan Musial is a St. Louis Cardinals legend and has a storied history having spent his entire 22-year career with the Cardinals. He earned 24 All-Star selections, won three National League MVP awards and he led the Cardinals to three World Series championships.

Musial was a skilled hitter, finishing his career with a .331 batting average, and with the fourth most hits in MLB history. A powerful slugger at bat, Musial hit 475 home runs, 3,630 hits and won seven batting titles.

3. Hank Aaron (3,771)

One of the best baseball players of all time, Hank Aaron spent 23 seasons in the major leagues, all with the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves and the Milwaukee Brewers. Impressively he is a 25-time All-Star, with Aaron able to achieve the feat in only 23 seasons because the MLB ran two All-Star games between 1959 to 1962.

Aaron amassed an incredible 3,771 hits during his career and is remembered for his consistent and powerful hitting. He also hit 755 home runs – surpassing Babe Ruth’s all-time record in 1974 – before Barry Bonds passed his mark in 2007. Aaron still holds the record for most career RBIs with 2,297.

2. Ty Cobb (4,189)

Ty Cobb is widely considered to be one of the greatest players in baseball history, known for his aggressive playing style and for popularizing the technique of sliding feet-first. He played 24 seasons in the major leagues, 22 of those at the Detroit Tigers, and he has the second most hits in MLB history with 4,189. 

Cobb played the game with an intense competitive spirit, and displayed exceptional hitting and fielding ability. He won 12 batting titles and led the league in hits 8 times which are both Major League records. 

1. Pete Rose (4,256)

Pete Rose has the most hits in MLB history with 4,256. A 17-time All-Star and three-time National League batting champion, Rose was also renowned for his defensive ability and won two Gold Gloves.

He’s considered one of the greatest hitters in the history of baseball and played in the major leagues for 24 seasons with the Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, and Montreal Expos.

His aggressive style of play, ability to consistently put the ball in play and his longevity helped him to achieve the feat. Rose also won three World Series championships but was booted from the MLB when he was manager of the Red because he bet on games he was managing.

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