ORANJESTAD - Xander Bogaerts has reached another meaningful milestone, moving past Hall of Famer Andruw Jones on Major League Baseball’s all-time hits list and giving Aruba another reason to celebrate.
Bogaerts now has 1,935 career hits, surpassing Jones’ 1,933.
The achievement came during a memorable afternoon against the Colorado Rockies on September 17. Bogaerts helped power San Diego to a 9–2 victory, hitting a home run and a triple during a seven-run second inning before adding a double later in the game. He finished just a single short of the cycle.
While the near-cycle captured attention, passing Jones gives that performance added significance for baseball fans in Aruba and Curaçao. Two players from neighboring Caribbean islands now stand alongside one another in the game’s career hit totals—a powerful reminder of the region’s contribution to Major League Baseball.
Jones set an extraordinary standard during his 17-season MLB career. The Curaçao native combined 434 home runs with 10 consecutive Gold Glove Awards, becoming one of baseball’s most celebrated center fielders. Inducted into Cooperstown in 2026, he became the first native of Curaçao to enter the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
For Aruba, Bogaerts’ latest achievement offers another moment of pride. His journey began on the island’s youth baseball fields and included an appearance in the 2009 Senior League World Series—an early chapter in a career that continues to inspire young Aruban players.
Moving ahead of Jones adds a special regional connection to Bogaerts’ climb through baseball history. It celebrates the accomplishments of an Aruba superstar while recognizing the remarkable standard established by a Curaçao legend.
For the next generation watching from home, their careers carry a message that reaches well beyond the numbers: a baseball journey that starts on a small island can earn a lasting place on the sport’s biggest stage.