Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez Will Join the 2000-Run Club and Maybe More

Some say “runs scored” is the most important stat in baseball. I don’t know if I’d go that far (I mean, some runs are totally meaningless, as in the 16th run in a 16-1 game), but it’s at least arguable the stat is as important as any other.

Hey, you score runs to have more than the other team, and win the game.

Rickey Henderson, holder of many a baseball record including all-time stolen bases and walks, said his most cherished record is this one – the most runs ever scored.

In his typical showy manner, Henderson broke second place Ty Cobb‘s mark with a homer. Ya gotta love Henderson, who easily is one of the greatest and most multi-faceted players in the game’s history. He must be ranked with anyone in any list of all-time greats – and definitely as the greatest leadoff hitter ever.

Henderson, Cobb, Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Pete Rose and Willie Mays are the only players to cross the plate over 2,000 times.

But hold on — the two actives on the list, Alex Rodriguez (12th) and Derek Jeter (17th), will break the 2,000-run barrier, too.

Can either become the all-time runs leader? It will be tougher for Jeter, who is 38. But A-Rod still has a chance, if he ups his game, which has been slacking.

No other active player is even close. Albert Pujols, the next youngest contender at age 32, is 108th with 1,335 runs.

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Photo: usatoday.com