OTD in 1927: Ty Cobb Became the 1st Player With 4,000 Career Hits

By Sam Grigsby, PSO Director of Sports History
Jul 18, 2021

The best hitters in MLB history belong to an exclusive 32-man group called the “3,000 Hit Club.” Many well-known players claim membership to it, from Stan Musial to Albert Pujols, but beyond this exists yet another even more exclusive group, the two-man 4,000 hit club. The only players to achieve this were Pete Rose, the all-time hits leader, and the first to ever do it, Ty Cobb.

INTERESTING FACTS

Cobb was the 1st player to record 4,000 career hits in MLB history with a 2B in front of former home crowd on July 18, 1927
At 41 years old, Ty Cobb stole home for a MLB record 54 times during his HOF career which still stands today

MAIN SIGNIFICANCE

TY COBB BECAME THE 1st PLAYER WITH 4,000 CAREER HITS

Today marks the anniversary of Ty Cobb becoming the first ballplayer to record 4,000 career hits. The longtime Detroit Tiger (22 seasons) had a career .366/.433/.512 triple-slash with over 2,000+ runs scored and almost 900 stolen bases through 24 magnificent MLB campaigns.

Cobb received 12 batting titles, one triple crown, and an MVP award, earning a reputation among the league’s greatest hitters of all time. The sensational CF was enshrined in Cooperstown as part of the first ever class in 1936, ranking second in all-time hits and runs scored and also fourth in all-time steals.