Crawford had a career batting average of .309, making him one of the top hitters of his day. He was a three-time batting champion and two-time home run champion. He became the first player to hit three home runs in one game in 1901. He also led the league in hits, doubles, triples, RBIs, and total bases multiple times.
In addition to his offensive prowess, Crawford was a great defensive player. He had a powerful throwing arm and was known for his diving catches. He also had a great sense of the game, and his aggressive base running allowed him to capitalize on any opportunity.
The greatest honor of his career was his election to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1957. He was only the fifth person to be so honored, and his plaque reads, “The greatest right fielder of his era and one of the most feared sluggers of all time.”
By the time he retired in 1917, Crawford had accumulated a total of 2,961 hits, 1,525 RBIs, and 1,068 extra-base hits. He was a nine-time All-Star and ranks in the top ten all-time in several hitting categories. Sam Crawford was a true baseball legend, and his career will forever be remembered.
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