MLB History: The 2000 RBI Club

On Thursday, May 9, 2019, the 2000 RBI Club, one of the most exclusive milestones in MLB history, welcomed their fifth member.

Out of all the milestones in MLB history, the 2000 RBI Club may be the most exclusive. A total of four players have reached that landmark, a level that even some of the greatest run producers that the game had seen can only dream of.

On May 9, 2019, a fifth member joined that exclusive group. With his third inning solo home run, Albert Pujols registered his 2000th RBI, further cementing his Hall of Fame credentials. Interestingly, only Babe Ruth is not a member of the 3000 hit club, and Cap Anson is the only member of this group that did not have at least 600 career homers.

This is a fraternity that truly spans professional baseball history. From the very first season of the National Association in 1871 to present day, the 2000 RBI Club is a list of some of the biggest stars in MLB history. It is, truly, an incredible accomplishment.

Now that Albert Pujols has joined one of the more elite fraternities in MLB history, let us take a look at the other four members of the club.

Cap Anson

While Cap Anson had over 2000 RBI in his career, his inclusion on this list is still somewhat debated.

Anson’s first five seasons in the majors came in the National Association, the precursor to the National League. There were problems with that league however, as weaker teams would drop out in the middle of the season, and the NA was dominated by the Boston franchise. Yet, it was financially successful, proving that professional baseball could exist.

One of the biggest stars in the NA, Anson continued his dominance in the National League. He became the player/manager of the Cubs, or White Stockings as they were called then. Anson led the league in RBI eight times, and drove in 100 runs when he was 42 years old. Overall, in his 27 year career, he notched 2075 RBI, currently the fourth most in MLB history.

The biggest problem with that total is how the NA is regarded. Major League Baseball does not consider it a major league, leaving Anson with only his 1880 RBI accumulated during his time in the NL. Those 1880 RBI would leave Anson 12th all time, sandwiched between Willie Mays and Mel Ott.

Cap Anson did collect over 2000 RBI in his professional career. Nonetheless, his inclusion on this list is still a matter of controversy.

Babe Ruth

Interestingly, Babe Ruth is the only left handed hitter in MLB history to reach the 2000 RBI platform.

Perhaps it is not that much of a surprise. He had completely changed the game, making home runs more than just a fluke occurrence. He would annihilate the single season home run record, and then become the first player in MLB history to reach the 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 home run plateaus.

Ruth became the second member of the 2000 RBI club in 1932. In doing so, he became the youngest member of that group, and the player to reach that milestone the fastest, notching his 2000th RBI in just 2196 games. He would pass Anson a year later, the last season that he would drive in over 100 runs.

All told, Ruth had 13 seasons of over 100 RBI, leading the league five times. One of the best run producers the game had seen, Ruth had six seasons where he drove in over 150 runs. He retired with the RBI record, driving in 2214 runs in his illustrious career.

Babe Ruth is remembered for his prodigious power and the way he has helped shape the modern game. He was also, not surprisingly, one of the great run producers in the history of the game.

Hank Aaron

Not only did Hank Aaron break Babe Ruth’s home run record, but he ended up surpassing the Bambino on the all time RBI list as well.

It was, perhaps, inevitable. He was a remarkably consistent hitter, and while he never had that one standout season, had 15 seasons with at least 30 home runs. That led to Aaron being an incredible run producer as well, as he had 11 years with over 100 RBI, and led the league four times.

That chase for Ruth’s home run record was a key moment in not just MLB history, but in American culture. He had been dogged by death threats and racism, the majority of the mail he received coming from racists and threatening his life. Ultimately, Aaron persevered, surpassing Ruth as the Home Run King.

Aaron took over as the all time RBI leader in 1975, setting the record as a part of the Milwaukee Brewers. As his career began in Milwaukee, albeit with the Braves, it was sort of fitting that he would break the record as part of another franchise from that city. His 2000th RBI came as a member of the Braves however, occurring during the 1972 season.

Hank Aaron once said that he never wanted baseball fans to forget Babe Ruth, he just wanted fans to remember him. That will not be a problem.