How many MLB players have hit 500 doubles?

In Major League Baseball (MLB), hitting a double is a feat of strength and power. Doubles can also be a sign of consistency and longevity. Hitting 500 doubles is a remarkable achievement, and one that only a few players have ever achieved. But just how many MLB players have hit 500 doubles?

What is a Double in Baseball?

A double in baseball is a hit in which the batter safely reaches second base without the help of an error. Doubles are often seen as a sign of a player’s power, as they require the batter to hit the ball far enough to reach second base.

What is the 500 Double Club?

The 500 Double Club is a select group of Major League Baseball players who have hit 500 doubles or more in their career. This is an impressive and exclusive accomplishment that puts these players in an elite category of hitters.

How Many MLB Players Have Hit 500 Doubles?

Only 39 players in MLB history have hit 500 or more doubles. This is a remarkable feat, as it requires a player to have a lengthy career in order to hit that many doubles. The players who have hit 500 doubles or more represent some of the best hitters in the history of the game.

The Members of the 500 Double Club

The members of the 500 Double Club are as follows:

Ichiro Suzuki
Eddie Murray
Miguel Cabrera
Carl Yastrzemski
Alex Rodriguez
Paul Molitor
Adrian Beltre
Rafael Palmeiro
Craig Biggio
Albert Pujols
Joe Morgan
Cal Ripken Jr.
Lou Gehrig
Dave Winfield
Chipper Jones
Willie Mays
George Brett
Andres Galarraga
Robin Yount
Frank Robinson
Hank Aaron
Stan Musial
Tris Speaker
Eddie Collins
Nap Lajoie
Ty Cobb
Barry Bonds
Rickey Henderson
Roberto Clemente
Derek Jeter
Al Kaline
Vladimir Guerrero
Carlos Beltran
Todd Helton
Jim Rice
Chase Utley
Billy Williams
Jeff Kent
Gary Sheffield
Sam Rice
Sam Crawford

The Most Prolific Doublers

Ichiro Suzuki is the most prolific double hitter in MLB history, with 792 doubles in his career. He is the only player in the 500 Double Club with more than 700 doubles, and is one of only two players (along with Miguel Cabrera) to have hit 600 or more doubles in their career.

The Longest-Tenured Members of the 500 Double Club

Eddie Murray is the longest-tenured member of the 500 Double Club, having hit his 500th double in 1997. He is closely followed by Miguel Cabrera, who hit his 500th double in 2015.

Recent Additions to the 500 Double Club

The most recent addition to the 500 Double Club is Chase Utley, who hit his 500th double in 2019. He is the only player to have joined the club since 2017, when Carlos Beltran hit his 500th double.

The 500 Double Club and the Hall of Fame

Many of the players in the 500 Double Club are also members of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Players such as Eddie Murray, Craig Biggio, and Alex Rodriguez are all in the Hall of Fame, as are most of the other members of the 500 Double Club.

What Does it Take to Join the 500 Double Club?

Joining the 500 Double Club is an incredible feat, and one that requires a tremendous amount of skill and consistency. Players must have a long career in order to hit 500 doubles, and they must remain healthy and productive for most of that career.

The Future of the 500 Double Club

The 500 Double Club is an exclusive group of players, and it is unlikely that many more players will join it in the near future. However, there are a few notable players who have the potential to join the club in the coming years.

Miguel Cabrera

Miguel Cabrera is the active leader in doubles, with 577 in his career. He is only 23 doubles away from joining the 500 Double Club, and he could easily reach that milestone in the next few years.

Albert Pujols

Albert Pujols is only 40 doubles away from joining the 500 Double Club. If he can remain healthy and productive, he could join the club in the next few seasons.

Robinson Cano

Robinson Cano is 85 doubles away from joining the 500 Double Club. He has been one of the most consistent hitters in MLB for the past decade, and if he can stay healthy, he could join the club in the near future.

Conclusion

Hitting 500 doubles is an incredible feat, and one that only a select few MLB players have been able to accomplish. The members of the 500 Double Club are some of the best hitters in the history of the game, and they represent an elite group of players. While it is unlikely that many more players will join the club in the near future, there are a few notable players who have the potential to join the club in the coming years.

References

MLB.com. (2021). All-Time Leaders & Records for Doubles. Retrieved from mlb.com/stats/all-time-leaders/doubles
Baseball-Reference. (2021). All-Time Leaders & Records for Doubles. Retrieved from baseball-reference.com/leaders/2B_career.shtml