Alright…don’t let the title fool you. Even though I am a huge Johnny Damon fan (it’s true), I am not about to reserve him a place in Cooperstown.
But here’s the deal…it isn’t THAT far fetched to think he might have an outside shot at being enshrined. With a third inning single Tuesday night against the Orioles, the Tigers outfielder reached 2500 hits for his career.
In the 11th…he added to his career total with a walk-off homer.
Should he stay injury-free, 3000 hits (which, to this point, has guaranteed an invitation to the Hall of Fame) is within reach.
Consider this..Damon hasn’t had less than 144 hits since his second full year in the bigs (1997) and this season, he is on pace for 148. Should he get to 148, he would end the season with 2573 and put him at 3000 by averaging 143 in three more seasons.
He needs 25 more hits to pass Hall of Famers Joe Morgan and Heinie Manush.
“You play the game long enough and you put yourself in pretty good company,” the 36 year-old Damon said following the game. “We can look at my numbers before I turn 40 and see what kind of career I’ve had.
As it stands right now, he’s the 92nd player to reach the 2500 milestone and sits seventh among active players.
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