We’re just days away from Opening Day 2015 and the promise of a number of milestones being reached.
Sure, many of the familiar faces are on the list (Ichiro Suzuki and, sorry, Alex Rodriguez), but c’mon, let’s face it, no one really cares that Corey Hart is just three hits from 1000.
So, with that in mind…here are ten milestones to watch for this season.
10,000
The New York Yankees need 87 wins to become the first American League franchise to win 10,000 games. And in case you were wondering…seven teams (San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Atlanta and Pittsburgh) have reached the milestone in the National League. Speaking of the Pirates, at 9,999 losses all-time, they’re one loss away from becoming the third team to reach 10K.
500
Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz is 34 home runs away from becoming the 27th player to reach 500 home runs for his career.
400
Two players, Adrian Beltre (395 home runs) and Miguel Cabrera (390) will reach 400 home runs for their careers. Three more Carlos Beltran (373), Aramiz Ramirez (369) and Mark Teixeira (363) have an outside chance of joining them, but aren’t as likely to hit the milestone.
200
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Mark Buehrle is one victory shy of 200 wins for his career. When he gets that next win, he’ll be the 116th pitcher to reach the milestone.
156
Ichiro Suzuki is 156 hits away from joining the 3000-hit club. Currently, his 4122 professional hits (including 1278 hits in Japan) ranks third behind Pete Rose (4256 hits) and Ty Cobb (4189).
61
It’s not a done deal that Ichiro gets the hits he needs to reach 3000, however…it’s very likely Alex Rodriguez will. The embattled New York Yankees slugger is 61 hits away from becoming the 29th (and, quite possibly, the least popular) member of the 3000-hit club.
24
With 24 saves, Joe Nathan will become just the sixth closer to reach 400 for his career. The others? Mariano Rivera (652 saves), Trevor Hoffman (601), Lee Smith (478), John Franco (424) and Billy Wagner (422). Also…with 14 saves, the righty will tie Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley (390) on the all-time list.
13
For the first time in seven years, the Tampa Bay Rays Opening Day starter will not be named David Price or James Shields. Also, with Chris Archer getting the nod, it also makes this the thirteenth straight year the guy taking the bump for the team’s opener is 30 years old or younger.
6’10”
At 6’11”, pitcher Jon Rauch is the tallest player in Major League history. Clocking in at just an inch shorter, fellow hurler Randy Johnson is all set to become to tallest Hall of Famer (of all-time) when he joins Pedro Martinez, John Smoltz and Craig Biggio in Cooperstown on July 26.
6
People who hate Alex Rodriguez are six home runs away from hating him even more. A-Rod is just six bombs away from tying Willie Mays for fourth place on the all-time home run list.