Alex Rodriguez

In the movie “Mr. 3000,” actor/comedian Bernie Mac played a baseball player who retires after collecting his 3,000^th hit. Years later, however, a clerical error notes that Mac’s character really ended his career three hits short of that milestone number. He then makes a comeback at age 47 hoping to collect the three hits he needs to reach 3,000.

It’s pretty unlikely that we’ll ever have a scenario like that of “Mr. 3000,” but there is an interesting case developing with Alex Rodriquez that may prove to have a little “Hollywood” script as the backdrop.

Rodriquez, who was suspended from baseball last year, is looking to make a “comeback” of sorts to play in 2015. His career totals show 2,939 hits and a career batting average of .299. Is it possible that one reason ARod wants to put on the uniform again is to reach the 3,000-hit mark and possibly end his career with a .300 batting average?

Looking at the career batting averages of past MLB players, we discover (via baseball-reference.com) that 15 players have a career batting average of .299 (minimum of 1,000 at bats to qualify). In fact, in addition to Rodriquez, three well-known stars in today’s game are sitting at .299 for their career: Colorado’s Troy Tulowitzki, Boston’s Dustin Pedroia and Pittsburgh’s Andrew McCutcheon. All three seem to have many more years to play and get those averages over .300.

There have been, however, several other players who have long retired with a career batting averages sitting at .299. Chances are we won’t see them try to make a late-in-life comeback to push that average over .300, but you never know.

Here’s a look at the players whose career batting averages sit at .299. Also noted is their last season in baseball.

Troy Tulowitzki (2014)
Dustin Pedroia (2014)
Andrew McCutcheon (2014)
Alex Rodriquez (2013)
Kenny Lofton (2007)
Dante Bichette (2001)
Shane Mack (1998)
Bake McBride (1983)
Rico Carty (1979)
Carl Furillo (1960)
Frank McCormick (1948)
Frank Demaree (1944)
Sam West (1942)
Buck Jordan (1938)
Harry Rice (1933)

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