tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11787692.post112249362502256680..comments2007-04-14T21:43:37.027-07:00Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13610470227060657647noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11787692.post-1122865551742394422005-07-31T20:05:00.000-07:002005-07-31T20:05:00.000-07:00Julio's average for his career is an even .300- right about what you'd expect for a guy who can stick around long enough to get 2500 hits.<BR/><BR/>The reason Julio has taken until almost age 47 to get 2500 hits is because Julio did not play in the major leagues in 1995 and from 1998-2001. He did not play in 1995 because of MLB's labor problems (he went to Asia), and in 1998-2001 because he was having trouble finding teams who were interested in him. He spent most of that time in Mexico. The Braves finally decided to take a look at him in September of 2001, a move that has obviously paid off.<BR/><BR/>If Julio had been in the majors consecutively from 1982 until now he'd almost certainly have 3000 hits, and as a result would very likely be a hall-of-fame candidate.<BR/>Counting the hits he collected in Asia and Mexico, he has well over 3200 in his career.Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13610470227060657647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11787692.post-1122647448075104632005-07-29T07:30:00.000-07:002005-07-29T07:30:00.000-07:00Here's a question: if Julio achieves the 2500-hit landmark, where does that place him on the list of most appearances/at bats to achieve 2500 hits? For a guy who has played as long as he has, it is surprising that he's not closer to 3000 than he is right now.Z. Jacksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01814368676641113294noreply@blogger.com