Kenney: Did Pete Rose really set hits record vs. Padres?
From Kirk Kenney at the San Diego Union-Tribune on September 11, 2015, with mention of SABR member John Thorn:
When Tony Gwynn approached 3,000 career hits in the summer of 1999, the Padres did several things to recognize the achievement.
One of the most visual examples was ringing the upper deck of Qualcomm Stadium with a banner for each member of the 3,000-hit club. The group numbered 22 players when Gwynn joined it. Membership has expanded now to 29, with the Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez joining this past June.
What I came to find out while researching some stories at the time was that six members of the 3,000-hit club — Cap Anson, Ty Cobb, Eddie Collins, Nap Lajoie, Tris Speaker and Honus Wagner — have career hit totals that are in dispute.
I revisit this now because we are about to observe the 30th anniversary of one of baseball’s most celebrated feats from the 1980s — Pete Rose passing Ty Cobb to become baseball’s all-time hits leader.
It occurred with the Padres in town. Or did it? There is no doubt the celebration took place during a Padres-Reds game.
Read the full article here: http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2015/sep/11/pete-rose-breaks-ty-cobb-hit-record-4192/
Originally published: September 11, 2015. Last Updated: September 11, 2015.