With the start of baseball comes two players to follow from the beginning. Cap Anson, who holds 3 milestones with 3435 hits, 2075 RBI, and 1999 runs. Anson became the first member of the 3000 hit club on July 18, 1897, although his career hit total has always been controversial, as MLB didn't originally recognize his hit totals from the National Association. His hit totals range from 2995 to 3000 to 3081, the total recognized by the Hall of Fame. We'll give him a chance to start fresh though, and see if he can live up to his Hall of Fame plaque, which reads ""Greatest Hitter and Greatest National League Player-Manager of 19th Century"
The second player, Jim O'Rourke is benefitting from the addition of runs to the list. "Orator Jim" scored 1729 runs in a career that spanned 1872 to 1904. With 2643 hits in his career, it certainly wouldn't be too surprising if he made a run at 3000 hits as well. I should note that his final hit came in 1904 where he played one game for the Giants. Before that game O'Rourke last played in 1893.
Next debuts:
1. 1875 - Pud Galvin - 361 Wins
2. 1876 - Harry Stovey - 509 SB
3. 1877 - Monte Ward - 540 SB
4. 1877 - Dan Brouthers - 1523 R
5. 1878 - Old Hoss Radbourn - 309 Wins
6. 1878 - Mickey Welch - 307 Wins