MLB history: Taking a look back at the 3000 hit club

Cap Anson (July 18, 1897)

With a base hit on July 18, 1897, Cap Anson became the first player to notch 3000 career hits. Or did he?

There are a number of reasons for confusion when it comes to Anson’s hit total. First, he was a part of the National Association, which is considered by some to be the first major league in baseball history. In the five years that the NA existed, Anson recorded 423 hits, pushing him well over the mark. Secondly, in 1887, walks counted as hits, further inflating his career total. Third, there is a question of how many hits Anson actually had in 1894, with different sources producing a different total. Depending on the source, Anson is credited with anywhere from 2995 hits to 3435 hits in his career.

His legacy in the game is equally controversial. Anson was one of the greatest stars in the early days of the game, an innovative mind that popularized such concepts as the hit and run. He developed the concept of Spring Training, helping his players be in better shape for the season. The White Stockings quickly became one of the better baseball teams under his leadership, winning five National League titles from 1880 through 1886.

However, Anson was also an avowed racist. His actions brought segregation into the game, ending the careers of Fleet Walker and his brother Welday. Although it is likely that the game would have become segregated anyway, his refusal to play any exhibitions against black players ushered in that era, a dark stain upon the history of the game.

A three time run producer, and one of the best run producers of his time, Cap Anson was also the first player to amass 3000 career hits. Possibly.