I think he has a shot to finish in the Top 5. Sure 199 is stretch, but it is within reach. If he had not been hurt last year, this conversation would be about getting even higher on that last, although it would take a season plus to catch Aaron.
Jeter is currently 10th with 3,316.................. 4 hits pass Molitor for 9th 104 hits to pass Yaz for 8th 105 hits to pass Wagner for 7th 120 hits to pass Anson for 6th 184 hits will give him 3,500 hits As Totus mentioned 199 hits to pass Tris Speaker for 5th.
Good link....59 Overall, all the hitting coaches listed in the link, IMO, are maybe questionable instructors. All seem to have one thing in common, they never lived up to their expectations as players, less Baylor, Joyner, Davis-(maybe, relative to your viewpoint). I recognize these: Baylor-had good career, and once held the record for hit by pitches, until Biggio broke his record. Not a bad clutch, deep ball, and line drive hitter. I thought Winfield was a big physical player, until I saw Baylor on the same field in Anaheim. Chili Davis-He did have some clutch key hits with both the Twins and Yanks. Chili was on 3 World Series winning Teams: 91 Twins, 98-99 Yankees. Was on 3 All Star Teams, but only hit 100 RBI's one time (97), and hit 30 HR's once, (93). Kind of says it all. Presley-As a hitting coach, JIm was fired by the D'Backs, then Marlins, and found a home with Baltimore. No wonder the O's struggles will continue. As a player, Jim Presley, thought he was going to be a Mariner for life, based on his rookie year, but was replaced by Edgar Martinez. Hojo-we all know what Hojo accomplished as a Met, 3rd bagger and hitter. Not bad at all. (did he like Dykstra ever do PED's)? Dave Magadan-Nephew of Lou Pinella, had a good year or two with the Mets, hitting .328 in 1990, (a personal high, but would never duplicate this feat). Also played for the Marlins, Mariners, Astros, Cubs, A's, Padres. Wally World Joyner-edged out Mattingly to start the 86 All Star game, as a Rookie, (with 21 HR's and a .315 B'AVG, by July). Wally came in 2nd in ROY voting behind Jose PED Canseco. Wally had a great first half of his 2nd year. 1987. A sweet easy swing, was on a pace to hit 50+ HR's by the All Star Break-(28), in 87. Although his HR's fell off in the 2nd half. (with 6). Still a good gold glove caliber 1st baseman, whom never won a Gold Glove (thank Donnie BB, J.T. Snow, and R.Palmeiro); even tho' Wally led the AL in 1st base fldg. pctg. in 89, 95-97 with a stellar .996-.998 fldg. pctg. in those years! Seitzer-good contact hitter, though he too was fired the D'Backs, had some succes in KC, moving on to Toronoto. Seitzer took over 3rd base, when G. Brett retired. BTW-who the hell was Pedro Gnifol???? Never made a splash as a player. I did see him, (didn't want his autograph either) when he Managed the Hi Desert Mavericks vs. Lancaster Jethawks of the California A (upper) minor league team. Or Ty Van Burkleo-a lifetime Minor Leaguer, basically. Now why would the Tribe settle for a guy like that for a Hitting Coach? I think 59 has a very valid point. Hitting Instructors are over-hyped, maybe even non-value added, my take not his, tho' similar, methinks. (maybe not)
