"His first big league appearance came on Sept. 1, 1996, when he was announced as a pinch-hitter for the Houston Astros and pulled for another hitter after then- Pittsburgh Pirates Manager Jim Leyland made a pitching change.

Almost 14 years later, Angels right fielder Bobby Abreu played in his 2,000th career game Friday night, with 1,353 of those games coming for the Philadelphia Phillies, 372 for the New York Yankees, 201 for the Angels and 74 with the Astros.

"You never think you're going to play that many games," said Abreu. "When you're young, 17 or 18, you just want to make it to the big leagues; you just want to get there. Then you start putting up some numbers, and you want to get to the level where I'm at right now."

Some think Abreu's numbers should warrant Hall of Fame consideration. He entered Friday needing two doubles to become one of only four players with 500 doubles, 250 home runs and 350 stolen bases. The others are Barry Bonds, Rickey Henderson and Craig Biggio."