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D-backs' Arenado joins MLB legends with latest career achievement
Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Nolan Arenado. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Diamondbacks' Nolan Arenado joins MLB legends with latest career achievement

By Mike J. Asti  |  Last updated Jul 21, 2026 11:08 AM ET
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One hit by Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Nolan Arenado may not have mattered in terms of the outcome of Monday's game. 

But Arenado's one hit in Arizona's 5-2 loss to the Athletics will still be one he will remember for the rest of his life. With a double in the bottom of the fifth, Arenado reached a major career milestone. He became the 297th member of MLB's 2,000-hit club. 

Nolan Arenado joined a group of legends 

However, getting to 2,000 hits isn't the only reason his 1-for-4 performance will go down as a memorable night. Arenado joined a group of baseball legends as only the sixth player in MLB history with at least 2,000 hits, 350 home runs and 10 Gold Gloves. 

And while Arenado's name may stand out on a list that includes Ken Griffey Jr., Willie Mays, Mike Schmidt, Johnny Bench and Al Kaline, he belongs based on his overall consistency as a complete player.

Nolan Arenado has quietly put together a HOF-caliber resume 

Since making his debut with the Colorado Rockies in April 2013, Arenado, 35, has quietly compiled a total resume that has a legitimate case of being worthy of the Baseball Hall of Fame. In the middle of his 14th season from time spent with the Rockies, St. Louis Cardinals and now Diamondbacks, Arenado has exactly 2,000 hits, 366 home runs, 1,228 RBI, 1,038 runs scored, 424 doubles and a cumulative slash line of .280/.337/.503.  

An eight-time All-Star, Arenado also already owns 10 Gold Gloves at third base and five Silver Slugger Awards. And while he hasn't enjoyed much postseason success (he has a career .152 batting average in eight postseason games), Arenado was a key member of Team USA's 2017 gold-medal-winning team and runner-up silver-medal group in 2023. 

Based on his career statistics and body of work in baseball, Arenado has an argument as one of the most underrated players in the history of the sport. 

Mike J. Asti
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Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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