For the Record: Pete Rose

All of the talk about Bud Selig and if he would consider reinstating Pete Rose got me thinking about the hit king. 

Whether or not you believe Rose belongs in the Hall of Fame, it is impossible to argue with his performance on the field. 

The numbers he posted and records he holds are simply amazing—he is the best and most consistent contact hitter in the history of the game.

4,256 career hits (MLB record)

3,215 singles (MLB record)

10 seasons with 200 or more hits (MLB record)

23 seasons with 100 or more hits (MLB record)

5,752 total bases by a switch hitter (MLB record)

2,165 career runs (NL record)

746 career doubles (NL record)

10 games with five or more hits (NL record)

44-game hitting streak (modern NL record)

Seven hitting streaks of 20 or more games (modern NL record)

And to compile such incredible offensive statistics, one needs to have a tremendous love and burning desire to play the game.

3,562 games played (MLB record)

1,972 winning games played in (MLB record)

14,053 at-bats (MLB record)

17 seasons with 150 or more games played (MLB record)

23 seasons with 100 or more games played (MLB record)

17 seasons with 600 or more at-bats (MLB record)

24 years played (NL record)

Rose is also the only player in major league history to play more than 500 games at five different positions.

939 at first base

671 in left field

634 at third base

628 at second base

595 in right field