A Pretty Elite Club

Thirty-three players have collected 3,000 or more hits in their career.  Twenty-eight guys have hit 500 or more home runs.  Only seven have done both.

Two of them are featured on one of my favorite autographed cards:

2005 Sweet Spot Signatures Dual Red Stitch #PC (#'d 25/25)

When Cabrera joined this elite club last week, I was shocked that Babe Ruth and Barry Bonds weren't on the list.  Ruth fell 127 hits short.  Bonds needed only 65.  When two of the greatest hitters of all-time aren't a part of this club, it makes it a little cooler.

Here are the other five members of the 3,000/500 Club:

2015 Topps Museum Collection Premium Prints #PP-HA (#'d 25/25)

1995 Upper Deck Autographs #AC2

1978 Topps #36

1997 Donruss Signature Series Autograph #NNO

2001 Upper Deck Signed Game Jersey #H-AR

As for who will become the eighth member of this club, I'm not sure.  Mike Trout could potentially do it, but he'll need over 1,500 hits and 186 home runs (as of Monday morning).  It's possible, but he'll be turning 31 in August.  I looked at a few other guys like Bryce Harper and Freddie Freeman, but they're even more of a stretch.  And I didn't even consider anyone under the age of 30.  I'll consider them in a few years when they enter the 1,500/250 Club.

2013 Topps Five Star Autographs #FSBA-MMA

Manny Machado (1,445/254) is the only guy under 30 with over 250 home runs and his 30th birthday is in early July.  And there isn't anyone in their 20's with over 1,500 hits.  The closest?  Machado.  I guess he has a shot too, but I'm not sure I'd put money on it.

What about you?

Any predictions on who will become the 8th member of the 1,500 Hits/500 Home Run Club?

Let's put them down in the comment section below and check back in a decade.

Happy Tuesday and sayonara!