Who holds the record for the most hits in MLB history? A top 10 list

Who holds the record for the most hits in MLB history? A top 10 list

Kevin Omuya
updated at April 20, 2023 at 8:23 AM

Baseball is one of the most popular sports in the United States, and one of the most impressive records a player can achieve is the most hits in Major League Baseball history. This record is a testament to a player's consistency, longevity, and skill.

Most hits in MLB history
Derek Jeter #2 of the New York Yankees after being hit by the pitch in the fifth inning during the game against the Chicago White Sox at Yankee Stadium on June 30, 2012. Photo: Mike Stobe
Source: Getty Images

The record for the most hits in Major League Baseball history is held by Pete Rose, who amassed a great 4,256 hits throughout his 24-year career. Rose's feat is an impressive accomplishment that is a testament to his skill, dedication, and longevity as a baseball player.

List of the most hits in MLB's history

Apart from Pete Rose, the player holding the record with the most hits in MLB history, a few noteworthy players have also achieved this feat.

10. Eddie Collins - 3315 hits

Who has the most hits in MLB history?
Eddie Collins, Major League Baseball Player, Portrait, Philadelphia Athletics, USA, Bain News Service, 1913. Photo: Universal History Archive
Source: Getty Images

Legendary baseball player Eddie Collins spent 25 seasons in the Big Leagues, mainly with the Chicago White Sox and Philadelphia Athletics. He recorded 3,315 hits, which ranks eighth in MLB history, an astounding figure.

He was recognised as one of the top second basemen of his era and won six stolen base championships. He hit.333 throughout the course, notching 47 home runs and 1,300 RBIs. Six times in a row, Collins won the World Series. He also made 13 All-Star teams and received two MVP honours.

Collins' achievement of having the tenth-most hits in MLB history is proof of his extraordinary dependability and talent, and his legacy will continue to motivate baseball players in the years to come. In 1939, he was admitted to the Hall of Fame.

9. Paul Molitor - 3,319 hits

List of most hits in MLB history
Manager Paul Molitor of the Minnesota Twins during batting practice before the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on August 10, 2017, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Photo: Dylan Buell
Source: Getty Images

A retired Major League Baseball player, Paul Molitor spent most of his 21 seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers, Toronto Blue Jays, and Minnesota Twins. The ninth-highest total in MLB history, his great 3,319 hits total is impressive.

Being able to play multiple positions throughout his career, including second base, third base, and designated hitter, Molitor was renowned for his versatility as a player. With a lifetime batting average of.306, 234 home runs, and 1,307 RBIs, he was an extraordinary player. In addition, he stole 504 bases throughout his career, which ranks 34th all-time in MLB history.

Molitor was a seven-time All-Star, won four Silver Slugger awards, and was named the World Series MVP in 1993 when he helped lead the Toronto Blue Jays to a championship. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.

8. Carl Yastrzemski - 3,419 hits

Top 10 most hits in MLB history
Former left fielder Carl Yastrzemski of the Boston Red Sox on September 18, 2019, at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. Photo: Billie Weiss
Source: Getty Images

One of the finest players in Boston Red Sox history and a legendary personality in baseball is Carl Yastrzemski, popularly known as "Yaz." He played with the Red Sox for 23 seasons and tallied 3,419 hits, which ranks sixth all-time in MLB history.

Yastrzemski was renowned for his excellent at-bat consistency, capacity to power, and average hitting. He had a lifetime batting average of.285, 452 home runs, and 1,844 RBIs. He also won three batting crowns during his career. In addition, he was an 18-time All-Star and the 1967 American League MVP winner.

He was well-known for his powerful arm and long-range and earned seven Gold Glove trophies. In 1989, he was admitted to the Hall of Fame.

7. Honus Wagner - 3,420 hits

Player with most hits in MLB history
A portrait of John P. (Honus) Wagner of the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1939. Photo: Sporting News and Rogers Photo Archive
Source: Getty Images

Honus Wagner is considered one of the greatest shortstops in baseball history, known for his all-around skills and powerful hitting. He played for 21 seasons, primarily for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and amassed 3,420 hits, the seventh-highest total in MLB history.

He won eight batting titles and had a lifetime average of .327, the 37th highest in MLB history. He also won the National League MVP award in 1911 and was named to 12 All-Star teams.

He was known for his exceptional range, strong arm, and ability to make difficult plays look easy. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1936.

6. Derek Jeter - 3,465 hits

Most hits in MLB history in a game
Derek Jeter #2 of the New York Yankees in action against the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium on May 31, 2014, in the Bronx borough of New York City. Photo: Jim McIsaac
Source: Getty Images

Derek Jeter is one of the most iconic baseball players of the modern era, known for his leadership, clutch performances, and consistency at the plate. He played for the New York Yankees for 20 seasons and amassed 3,465 hits, the sixth-highest total in MLB history. He was named the World Series MVP in 2000 and was a 14-time All-Star.

He won five Gold Glove awards during his career and was known for his quick reflexes and strong arm. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020, and his legacy continues to inspire future generations of baseball players. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest Yankees of all time and one of the greatest players of his age.

5. Tris Speaker - 3,514 hits

Most hits in MLB history season
Tristram E. (Tris), Speaker of the Cleveland Indians, swinging a bat in 1917. Photo: Sporting News and Rogers Photo Archive
Source: Getty Images

Tris Speaker is one of the most accomplished baseball players of all time, known for his all-around skills and consistency at the plate. He played for 22 seasons, primarily for the Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians, and amassed an impressive 3,514 hits, which is the fifth-highest total in MLB history.

He won two batting titles during his career and had a lifetime batting average of .345, which is the fifth-highest in MLB history. He also won the American League MVP award in 1912 and was named to 11 All-Star teams.

He won the inaugural American League Gold Glove award in 1913 and was known for his exceptional range and strong arm. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1937 and is regarded as one of the greatest players ever.

4. Stan Musial - 3,630 hits

What pitcher has the most hits in MLB history?
Stan Musial of the St. Louis Cardinals holds his bat on his shoulder during batting practice before starting a Major League Baseball game circa 1963. Photo: Focus on Sport
Source: Getty Images

Stan Musial is one of the greatest baseball players known for his consistency and all-around skills. He played for the St. Louis Cardinals for 22 seasons and amassed 3,630 hits, the fourth-highest total in MLB history.

Musial was known for his smooth left-handed swing and ability to hit for both power and average. He won seven batting titles and had a lifetime average of .331, the 30th highest in MLB history. He also won three National League MVP awards and was named to 24 All-Star teams. He won three Gold Glove awards during his career and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1969

3. Hank Aaron - 3,771 hits

Who has the most hits in MLB history?
Atlanta Braves Hank Aaron (44) victorious during a press conference after win vs Los Angeles Dodgers at Atlanta Stadium. Photo: Neil Leifer
Source: Getty Images

Hank Aaron is among the most iconic baseball players known for his legendary power-hitting and consistent offensive performance. He played for 23 seasons, primarily with the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves and amassed 3,771 hits, the third-highest total in MLB history.

Aaron is perhaps best known for breaking Babe Ruth's home run record in 1974, hitting his 715th home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He would hit 755 home runs in his career, a record for over 30 years until Barry Bonds broke i.

He won three Gold Glove awards and was named to 25 All-Star teams. Aaron was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1982 and is regarded as one of the greatest baseball players ever.

2. Ty Cobb - 4,191 hits

List of most hits in MLB history
Ty Cobb watched a pitch in May 1916 during a game at Navin Field in Detroit, Michigan. Photo: Reproduction by Transcendental Graphics
Source: Getty Images

Ty Cobb is one of the most legendary baseball players in history and is widely regarded as one of the greatest players ever. He played for 24 seasons, mostly with the Detroit Tigers, and amassed 4,191 hits, the second-highest total in MLB history.

He won 11 batting titles during his career, and his lifetime batting average of .366 is the highest in MLB history. He was also an excellent defensive player, winning the American League MVP award in 1911. He was among the first five players inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1936.

1. Pete Rose - 4,256 hits

Most hits in MLB history in a game
Pete Rose of the Cincinnati Reds kneels on deck before batting against the Pittsburgh Pirates during an MLB game at Three Rivers Stadium in 1984 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Photo: George Gojkovich
Source: Getty Images

Who has the most hits in MLB history? Pete Rose is one of the greatest baseball players of all time, and he holds the record for the most hits in MLB history with an impressive 4,256 hits. He played for 24 seasons for the Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, and Montreal Expos.

He was known for his relentless work ethic, hustle, and durability. He played in 3,562 games, which is the third-most all-time. He was a 17-time All-Star, three-time World Series champion, and won the National League MVP award in 1973. The record for most hits in MLB history in a game is seven, achieved by two players; Rennie Stennett of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Wilbert Robinson of the Baltimore Orioles.

Most hits in a single season in MLB history

The player with the most hits in a single season in Major League Baseball (MLB) history is Ichiro Suzuki, who had 262 hits in 2004 while playing for the Seattle Mariners. Ichiro's impressive feat broke the previous record of 257 hits, set by George Sisler of the St. Louis Browns in 1920.

What pitcher has the most hits in MLB history?

What pitcher has the most hits in MLB history?
Warren Spahn #21 of the Milwaukee Braves pitches during a Major League Baseball game circa 1964. Spahn played for the Braves from 1942-64. Photo: Focus on Sport
Source: Getty Images

Among pitchers in Major League Baseball (MLB) history, the player with the most hits is Warren Spahn, who recorded 363 hits during his career. Spahn was a left-handed pitcher who played for the Boston/Milwaukee Braves, New York Mets, and San Francisco Giants from 1942 to 1965.

Pete Rose's record for the most hits in MLB history is a remarkable achievement that is a testament to his skill and dedication as a baseball player. Despite the controversies surrounding his career, Rose's record remains integral to baseball history. It serves as an inspiration to all those who aspire to greatness on the diamond.

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Kevin Omuya
Kevin Omuya is a Content Writer with 4 years of experience who joined Sports Brief in 2022. In 2019 he held a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Digital Media from KCA University.