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Braun not ready to reflect on 1,000th hit

Braun not ready to reflect on 1,000th hit

CINCINNATI -- Ryan Braun saved the baseball from his 1,000th hit, and someday will savor that milestone.

Not yet.

"During the season is not a time for reflection," Braun said. "I'm focused on a lot of other things right now, and to tell you the truth, I didn't even know I was close until a few days ago. It's definitely pretty cool, though. At some point when the season ends, I'll be able to look back and see that's a pretty cool accomplishment."

Braun logged his 1,000th hit in his 815th game. Only three active Major Leaguers got to the milestone quicker: The Mariners' Ichiro Suzuki (696 games), the Yankees' Derek Jeter (780 games) and the Angels' Albert Pujols (806 games). Like Braun, the Phillies' Juan Pierre reached 1,000 hits in 815 games.

According to Brewers blogger Kyle Lobner, who did extensive research on the subject, Braun was the fastest to the milestone in franchise history among players who collected each of their first 1,000 hits in a Brewers uniform.

Paul Molitor got to 1,000 hits in 835 games, and Robin Yount in 948 games.

"It puts in perspective how difficult it is, that not a lot of guys have done it," Braun said.

Braun logged his milestone hit in his first game back from a right groin injury. He has been dealing with that issue since Spring Training, and re-aggravated it during Tuesday's win against the Cardinals.

He figures the issue will nag all season.

"I feel good," he said. "Whenever you have something during the year, you rarely, if ever, get back to 100 percent. Everybody in this clubhouse is dealing with something."