Palmeiro Hits It Big

It was a fitting celebration for one of baseball’s true gentlemen: A champagne toast in the clubhouse for Rafael Palmeiro, not some crazy beer-over-the-head soiree.

Palmeiro became the 26th player to reach 3,000 career hits on Friday night, doubling in a run in the fifth inning before adding a sixth-inning single in Baltimore’s 6-3 win over the Seattle Mariners.

“I was just trying to drive the runner in,” Palmeiro said. “I was trying to do my thing, keep it simple. I did what I had to do, and it was my 3,000th hit. I was numb going around the bases. I don’t remember much.”

Melvin Mora and Sal Fasano each hit solo home runs for the Orioles, who remained one game behind first-place Boston in the AL East. Rodrigo Lopez (8-5) pitched 5 1/3 innings for his second straight victory. B.J. Ryan pitched a perfect ninth for his 21st save in 24 chances.

Palmeiro’s milestone hit came off Seattle starter Joel Pineiro (3-5), who good-naturedly tossed the ball to Baltimore Manager Lee Mazzilli as the Orioles rushed from their dugout to swarm Palmeiro at second base.

“It was emotional. I wasn’t expecting that,” Palmeiro said. “I thought maybe for a second or two the game would stop and we could keep it moving, but they came out there.”

Palmeiro has 566 home runs over his 20-year career, joining Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Eddie Murray as the only players with 3,000 hits and 500 homers. Those numbers are likely to make Palmeiro a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

To mark the occasion, Mazzilli toasted Palmeiro with champagne when the slugger returned to the clubhouse after doing several interviews on the field.

“We just wanted to say how much he means to us, how special the moment was,” teammate Jay Gibbons said.

Palmeiro’s double tied him with Roberto Clemente for 25th place on the career hits list. He passed Clemente with a clean single to center off reliever Shigetoshi Hasegawa for hit No. 3,001.

Palmeiro finished two for four and walked in the first, which resulted in boos. He grounded out in the third and led off the ninth by striking out looking against reliever Ron Villone.

Palmeiro was cheered on each at-bat, and cameras flashed on every pitch with the record pending. Teammates mobbed him with hugs after his 3,000th hit and he received a lengthy standing ovation from the Safeco Field crowd.

“I’m very honored by the way the Mariner fans applauded,” Palmeiro said. “I’m very thankful for that. I really appreciated it.”

Palmeiro’s sons were on hand to enjoy the night too. Ten-year-old Preston Palmeiro documented the event with a video camera and another son, 15-year-old Patrick, was a Baltimore batboy.

Both ran on the field with the team and hugged their father.

“That was the best. For them to be a part of that, to be out there with me, I’ll never forget that. I hope they never forget it, either,” Palmeiro said.

As the Orioles left the field after their celebration, Palmeiro raised his helmet and thanked the fans -- drawing another thunderous cheer.

“That was incredible,” Baltimore’s Sammy Sosa said. “Raffy accomplished something great tonight. He went out there and battled for many, many years. Today, he got to a place not many people can -- 3,000 hits is a lot. I’m very happy for him.”

Rickey Henderson was the most recent player to reach 3,000 hits, accomplishing the feat Oct. 7, 2001, for San Diego.

Besides moving up on the career hits list, Palmeiro also tied Robin Yount for No. 13 all-time with 583 doubles. His 1,187 extra-base hits rank seventh, moving Palmeiro out of a tie with Frank Robinson and within range of No. 6 Lou Gehrig (1,190).

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Exclusive club

Rafael Palmeiro joins Hall of Famers Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Eddie Murray as the only players with at least 500 home runs and 3,000 hits:

Comparing career hits and home runs

Rafael Palmeiro

Home runs: 566

Hits: 3,001

Hank Aaron

Home runs: 755

Hits: 3,771

Willie Mays

Home runs: 660

Hits: 3,283

Eddie Murray

Home runs: 504

Hits: 3,255

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Statistical averages per season:

*--* Palmeiro Aaron Mays Murray Runs 96 107 112 87 Hits 174 185 178 174 HR 33 37 36 27 RBI 106 113 103 103 Avg. 289 305 302 287 OB% 372 374 384 359 SLG% 517 555 557 476

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3,000 hit club

1. Pete Rose, ‘78: 4,256

2. Ty Cobb, ‘21: 4,189

3. Hank Aaron, ‘70: 3,771

4. Stan Musial, ‘58:3,630

5. Tris Speaker, ‘25: 3,514

6. Carl Yastrzemski, ‘79: 3,419

7. Honus Wagner, ‘14: 3,415

8. Paul Molitor, ‘96: 3,319

9. Eddie Collins, ‘25: 3,315

10. Willie Mays, ‘70: 3,283

11. Eddie Murray, ‘95: 3,255

12. Nap Lajoie, ‘14: 3,242

13. Cal Ripken Jr., ‘00: 3,184

14. George Brett, ‘92: 3,154

15. Paul Waner, ‘42: 3,152

16. Robin Yount, ‘92: 3,142

17. Tony Gwynn, ‘99: 3,141

18. Dave Winfield, ‘93: 3,110

19. Cap Anson, 1897: 3,055

20. Rickey Henderson, ‘01: 3,055

21. Rod Carew, ‘85: 3,053

22. Lou Brock, ‘79: 3,023

23. Wade Boggs, ‘99: 3,010

24. Al Kaline, ‘74: 3,007

25. Rafael Palmeiro, ‘05: 3,001

26. Roberto Clemente, ‘72: 3,000

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Sources: Major League Baseball, www.baseball-reference.com, www.baseball-almanac.com

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Mr. Consistency

Rafael Palmeiro has had at least 139 hits in each of the last 17 seasons. His yearly numbers:

*--* Year Team Hits Year Team Hits 1986 Chi (NL) 18 1996 Baltimore 181 1987 Chi (NL) 61 1997 Baltimore 156 1988 Chi. (NL) 178 1998 Baltimore 183 1989 Texas 154 1999 Texas 183 1990 Texas 191 2000 Texas 163 1991 Texas 203 2001 Texas 164 1992 Texas 163 2002 Texas 149 1993 Texas 176 2003 Texas 146 1994 Baltimore 139 2004 Baltimore 142 1995 Baltimore 172 2005 Baltimore 79

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