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Billy Butler Collects His 1000th Hit

Not in one game - that would be a record. But Billy joins the 1000th Hit Club for his career, the ninth player to do so in Royals history.

By Max Rieper
Ed Zurga

Billy Butler became the ninth player in Royals history to collect at least 1000 hits when he doubled in the first inning of last night's loss to the Cardinals. He later collected his 1001st hit as well, a feat so awe-inspiring, no othe Royals hitter could manage a hit.

Here is the list of players in the illustrious "1000 Hits as a Royal" Club:

Player

Plate Appearances to Reach 1000 Royals Hits

Age

Career Royals Hits

Career MLB Hits

George Brett

3,557

26

3,154

3,154

Frank White

4,185

32

2,006

2,006

Amos Otis

3,930

29

1,977

2,020

Willie Wilson

3,510

29

1,968

2,207

Hal McRae

3,856

34

1,924

2,091

Mike Sweeney

3,687

30

1,398

1,540

Joe Randa

3,860

34

1,084

1,543

Freddie Patek

4,715

34

1,036

1,340

Billy Butler

3,736

27

1,001

1,001

Using Bill James' Career Projection Model, Billy projects to finish his Major League career with 2,440 hits, which would be 112th in Major League history, around guys like Jim Rice, Dwight Evans, Mark Grace, and Bobby Abreu.

Other fun facts about Billy's 1000 hits:

  • The first one in his first MLB game off Bartolo Colon of the Angels on May 1, 2007. I was in attendance. It was a second inning ground ball in the hole at shortstop.
  • Billy has 663 singles, 226 doubles, 4 triples (how on earth did that happen?) and 108 home runs.
  • Billy has the most hits against Justin Verlander and Carl Pavano - 23 apiece. He is hitting well over .400 against each pitcher.
  • Billy has had 94 mult-hit games. He has had 11 four-hit games, and a pair of five-hit games, this 2009 game against Baltimore and a win against the Angels a few weeks ago.
  • Billy's longest hitting streak is 14, which began September 30, 2007 and lasted til April 14, 2008 - seven whole months!
  • The most hits Billy has had in a season is 192, which he did last year. That is the 13th most hits in a season by a Royals hitter.
  • Billy is a lifetime .299 hitter as a Royal, tied with Mike Sweeney (who actually edges him out if you go to four decimals) for second all-time, behind only George Brett's .305 batting average.
  • Billy has 719 hits against right-handed pitchers, 282 against lefties. He has 527 hits a at home, 474 on the road.
  • Billy has the most hits in August - 194, although he has a higher average in September (.312 to .306 in August).
  • Seven of Billy's hits have come as a pinch-hitter. One was a home run.
  • Aside from Kauffman Stadium, Billy has by far the most hits in Comerica Park with 71.
  • Billy once had a hit in 131 consecutive series, which I have no idea if that's a record or not because it doesn't seem like a real thing.

So congratulations Billy Butler, from all of us at Royals Review. One day, you'll get some teammates worthy of your hitting prowess.

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