KANSAS CITY -- Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano became just the fifth active Major League player with 500 career doubles in Friday's 5-2 win over the Royals, and he's on the verge of passing some pretty heady company on the all-time list as well.
The 34-year-old ripped a first-inning shot into the right-field corner off Royals right-hander Jason Hammel to join current players Jose Pujols (613), Adrian Beltre (605), Carlos Beltran (557) and Jose Cabrera (540) in the 500-double club.
"It is [a good number]," said Cano, who went 1-for-4. "I'm so proud of myself that I worked hard at the beginning of my career. Those are things that keep me humble and make me work even harder, so I can accomplish something this fast in my career. Hopefully, I can continue. It's something that keeps me humble."
Cano is now tied for 61st on the all-time doubles list with former Mariner John Olerud and Hall of Famer Goose Goslin, who played from 1921-38. And the list right above Cano is littered with all-time greats.
Cano needs 11 more doubles to move past Hall of Famers Rickey Henderson (510), Babe Ruth (506), Tony Perez (505), Roberto Alomar (504) and Andre Dawson (503) into 56th all-time.
And further up the list sits long-time Mariners great Edgar Martinez in 53rd place with 514.
"Being compared with all those big-name Hall of Famers. I still have what, six years left on my contract?" Cano said. "It's something where I have to thank God and family and friends for their support. Everyone that has helped me to this point in my career."
Cano is just the seventh second baseman ever to reach the 500 doubles mark, joining Hall of Famers Craig Biggio, Nap Lajoie, Charlie Gehring, Rogers Hornsby and Alomar, as well as Jeff Kent.
"It's been an unbelievable career he's had, and hopefully we get to see a few more of those doubles and homers," manager Scott Servais said.
Of Cano's 500 doubles, 375 came with the Yankees.