On August 7, 1999, Tampa Bay baseball witnessed one of the sport’s most unforgettable milestones. Playing before a home crowd at Tropicana Field, Tampa Bay Devil Rays third baseman Wade Boggs became just the 23rd player in Major League Baseball history to record 3,000 career hits.
The milestone came dramatically. Facing Cleveland Indians pitcher Chris Haney in the sixth inning, Boggs launched the ball over the right field wall for a home run. It remains the only time in Major League history that a player has reached the 3,000-hit milestone with a home run. After circling the bases, an emotional Boggs paused to kiss home plate, creating one of the most iconic moments in Devil Rays history.
Known for his exceptional batting eye and consistent hitting, Boggs finished his career with 3,010 hits, five American League batting titles, and 12 All-Star selections. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005, cementing his place among baseball’s greatest hitters.
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