Which Superstars Will Be Next to Reach 3,000-Hit Club?

Derek Jeter recorded his 3000 hit today in style, blasting a solo shot out of the park to tie the game up. The long awaited milestone finally culminated in Yankee Stadium in front of a packed house on a Saturday afternoon, which made it even more perfect. He entered elite company, becoming the 28^th player to join the 3000 hit club. He finished the day 5 for 5 at the plate and drove in the game-winning run.

The quest for 3000 took Jeter 16 seasons, all with the Yankees, and he also became just the second full-time shortstop to join the club. The other, Honus Wagner, reached it almost 100 years ago, in 1914.

There are a number of players on the heels of Jeter and could soon be knocking on the exclusive clubs door. Lets take a look at a few players who are the most likely to reach 3000 hits in the near future. 

5. Johnny Damon, 2,662 Hits, 37 Years Old

Johnny Damon is 4^th on the active hits leaderboard right now and is on par to join the 3,000 hit club by the time he is 40.

Damon has been a consistent player in a career that has seen him stop in Kansas City, Oakland, Boston, New York, Detroit and now Tampa Bay. He is on a one-year contract right now and may move to another team before he accomplishes the feat.

Damon involved in rumors that said he would held to limited action and games this season but Joe Maddon has allowed for the 37 year old to play a ton of innings in a number of games. If Damon keeps this production up, he could definitely join the 3,000 hit club before he retires.

4. Ichiro Suzuki, 2,343 Hits, 37 Years Old

Ichiro has finally cooled off this season, missing the All-Star game for the first time in his career and batting less than .300 before the break for the first time as well.

The single-season record holder for hits played his first 9 professional seasons in his native Japan and would have easily been a member of this club, and threatening the all time record if he had started his career in the MLB.

Ichiro has had ten consecutive 200 hit seasons and has yet to garner less than 206 hits in a season. If Ichiro can hold up as an everyday position player for a few more years, he could easily ride his consistent bat into the 3000 hit club. 

3. Albert Pujols, 1,979 Hits, 31 Years Old

Pujols has had a dominant career and he is seemingly getting better as the years go on. He had the best decade of any player in the major leagues but struggled early in 2011. Fans were worried that Pujols may be injured or possibly even declining, but soon busted out of his slump and maintained the consistency he has displayed throughout his career.

Pujols is a stalwart at first base and has had no major injuries in his 10 years in the league. Albert could possibly play 10 more years and should easily get to 3000 hits, along with a number of other milestones

2. Ivan Rodriguez, 2,842 Hits, 39 Years Old

Pudge has the 2^nd most hits of any active player, behind Derek Jeter, and obviously the highest active player without being in the 3,000 hit club. Rodriguez could possibly finish this season right around 2900 hits and should reach the 3000 mark in his 22^nd season if he chooses to play next year.

I feel that Pudge would like to join the club and will certainly find a team willing to offer him a contract next season. 100 hits should be reasonably attainable for a player who does not play every day but could platoon at the catcher position. 

1. Alex Rodriguez, 2,762 Hits, 35 Years Old

A-Rod may be the most sure thing on this list. He will easily surpass 2,800 hits by the end of this season and will only be 36 at the start of next season. Alex, barring injury, will be the next Yankee inducted to the club and it should happen at the start of the 2013 campaign.

A-Rod averages 159 hits per season and certainly goes for power. He could potentially threaten the all-time home run record to add to his list of accomplishments that will land him in the Hall of Fame. Joining the 3,000-hit club will just make his storied career that much better.