In fact, only one person since, has come within 20-points of the mark over the course of a full season— George Brett, in 1980 with a .390 batting average.
Tony Gwynn had a .394 average on August 11, 1994 when the season ended after 117, because of a players strike.
Fast forward to 2008
While it may be a tad early to seriously debate it, Chipper Jones is eyeing a .400 season. As of June 5, Jones was batting .418.
A .310 career hitter, Jones appears to be getting it done from both sides.
Versus right-handed pitching in 2008, Jones was hitting .404; versus southpaws, the number improved to .442
Jones may be his own biggest critic
In an AP article on June 6, when asked about hitting .400, Jones said, it was far too early to get excited and that he certainly wouldn't be the one to break the record, if it ever did get broken.
"I don't think anyone can do it," he said. “The simple fact of the matter is that no one has done it in a very, very long time. We're talking about maybe the greatest hitter ever to step on the field is the one who did it. Man, I just don’t see myself in the same league as him. I really don’t.”
This however, is the deepest anyone has gone into the season with a .400 batting average since Todd Helton's .400 marks on June 10, 2000.
Helton finished the year with a .372 batting average.
For the month of May, Jones had good company in the pursuit for .400.
Lance Berkman, first baseman for the Houston Astros hit .471 for the month with 31 runs, nine homers and 22 runs batted in.
He finished the month hitting .385. His is currently hitting .382.
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