On Tuesday, Johnny Damon recorded the 2,500th hit of his career. To many peoples surprise, it became evident that Johnny Damon, when it is all said and done, will have Hall of Fame numbers.<\/p>\n
If Damon matches his first half numbers in the second half, the 36 year old will end his 16th season with at least 2,579 hits, 421 shy of the magic 3,000.<\/p>\n
At his current rate of 184 hits per season, it will take Damon just three seasons to smash 3,000. In fact, he would end up with 3,131, leaving him with plenty of room for error.<\/p>\n
But is 3,000 hits enough to get into the Hall? Every eligible player with 3,000 hits has made it in. Damon would be just the 25th player in Major League Baseball history to get 3,000 hits.<\/p>\n
To further this claim, let’s not act as though we have a crystal ball. Looking at right now, Damon still has 2,502 hits at age 36. 44 players have had 2,500 hits by age 36, and 34 of them made the Hall of Fame. Keep in mind, though, that the ten players that didn’t make the Hall may still be active, or not yet eligible.<\/p>\n
Additionally, Damon is one of just 33 players in MLB history to record more than 2,500 hits and over 750 extra-base hits before age 36. Not even the great Derek Jeter — who is essentially a lock for the Hall of Fame — has accomplished that.<\/p>\n
At this point, it is surely not a lock. But it’s fair to say that, barring a serious injury, Johnny Damon will<\/em> get 3,000 hits and will<\/em> make the Hall of Fame. It’s time we start to recognize his talent.<\/p>\n