A historic milestone has just been written in the illustrious career of Nolan Arenado.
With a double in the fifth inning against the Athletics, Arenado officially reached 2,000 career hits in MLB, becoming the 297th player in league history to achieve this feat and the sixth active player to reach 2,000 hits. Even more remarkably, he joins an extremely elite group of players with 2,000 hits, at least 350 home runs, and 10 Gold Glove Awards – a testament to a rare all-around achievement in modern baseball history.
But for St. Louis Cardinals fans, the 2,000 mark is more than just a statistical milestone.
It’s a reminder of a glorious chapter Arenado wrote at Busch Stadium.
When the Cardinals brought Arenado in from the Colorado Rockies before the 2021 season, many believed St. Louis would… St. Louis just acquired one of the best third baseman defenders in history.
The reality exceeded expectations.
In the Cardinals’ colors, Arenado not only maintained near-perfect defensive performance but also became the team’s spiritual leader. His decisive shots, incredible saves, and fiery fighting spirit quickly made him a new icon at Busch Stadium.
Especially in the 2022 season, when Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt formed one of the most formidable duos in the National League, leading the Cardinals to dominate the NL Central and both competing for MVP.
That was also the time when St. Louis fans truly saw him as part of the Cardinals family.
What made Arenado different was never just the numbers.
For over a decade, he was considered the gold standard for the third baseman position.
Ten consecutive Gold Gloves.
Eight All-Stars.
Hundreds of defensive plays brought the entire stadium to its feet and into a standing ovation.
Now, 2,000 hits only further solidifies his almost certain Hall of Fame record. MLB also highlighted that Arenado is currently only the sixth active player to reach this milestone and belongs to the very rare group of players who have both 2,000 hits, over 350 home runs, and 10 Gold Gloves.
Even though Arenado has now entered a new chapter in his career, the affection from St. Louis has never wavered.
When he returned to Busch Stadium in his new team’s colors at the beginning of the season, he received a standing ovation from tens of thousands of Cardinals fans.
That wasn’t regret.
It was respect for a player who gave everything during his years wearing the red and white jersey.
That image shows that Arenado left behind more than just numbers.
He left behind memories.
In fact, much of Arenado’s journey to nearing 2,000 hits was built across three phases of his career.
He had a brilliant start with the Colorado Rockies.
He reached his all-around peak with the Cardinals.
And now, he’s completed this historic milestone in a new chapter of his career.
For St. Louis fans, this only adds to their pride.
The Cardinals are where Arenado matured into a true leader, a player who not only excelled offensively but also inspired the entire locker room.
In recent years, Arenado experienced periods of declining form, and he himself admitted to worrying that he might not reach 2,000 hits. But ultimately, through perseverance and class, he overcame that challenge.
Looking at his record of over 2,000 hits, more than 350 home runs, 10 Gold Gloves, multiple All-Star appearances, and countless outstanding seasons, experts considered Arenado a nearly certain Hall of Fame candidate.
Although the 2,000-hit milestone was achieved in his new team, many Cardinals fans still consider it an achievement they can be proud of.
Because it was in St. Louis that Arenado played the most complete version of baseball.
He became a leader.
He became an icon.
And he became one of the most beloved players of the modern Cardinals generation.
History may record that the 2,000th hit came elsewhere.
But in the hearts of St. Louis fans… Louis, Nolan Arenado will forever be a part of the Cardinals family – a man who has helped maintain the winning tradition, professionalism, and pride of one of MLB’s most historic teams.
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