SEATTLE - Rafael Palmeiro plans to display the ball from his 3,000th hit right next to the one he smacked for his 500th home run.

Those are milestones that should be good enough to make the Baltimore slugger a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Yet Palmeiro insisted he's not worthy to share space with Hank Aaron and Willie Mays.

"You're talking about two of the best players of all time," Palmeiro said after collecting his 3,000th hit when the Orioles beat Seattle 6-3 Friday night. "I'm in a group with them, but that doesn't mean I belong."

Palmeiro has 566 home runs, joining Aaron, Mays and Eddie Murray as the only players with 3,000 hits and 500 homers.

"Hank Aaron has about 200 more home runs than I do. Willie Mays has about 100. In my opinion, those guys belong in a class by themselves," Palmeiro said.

Palmeiro became the 26th player to reach the hit milestone, doubling in a run in the fifth inning to tie Roberto Clemente for No. 25 place on baseball's list. He passed Clemente with a sixth-inning single.

"I was just trying to drive the runner in," Palmeiro said. "I was trying to do my thing, keep it simple. I did what I had to do, and it was my 3,000th hit. I was numb going around the bases. I don't remember much."

Palmeiro always has maintained a low profile, preferring to represent himself through his game instead of his words. He's often been overlooked, perhaps because he's never reached the World Series or won a batting title.

Folks are paying attention now, though his peers took notice long ago.

"It's a pretty incredible accomplishment," Texas shortstop Michael Young said. "He's one of only four guys to do 3,000-500, and they're still raising silly questions about whether he can be in the Hall of Fame or not. It's impressive he's still going, and he makes it look easy."

Said Baltimore's Sammy Sosa: "Raffy accomplished something great tonight. He went out there and battled for many, many years. Today, he got to a place not many people can - 3,000 hits is a lot. I'm very happy for him."

Considering Palmeiro's gentlemanly ways, it was fitting that Orioles manager Lee Mazzilli led a champagne toast when Palmeiro finally returned to the clubhouse after doing several on-field interviews.

"We just wanted to say how much he means to us, how special the moment was," teammate Jay Gibbons said.

Palmeiro's big hit came off Seattle starter Joel Pineiro (3-5), who tossed the ball to Mazzilli as the Orioles rushed from their dugout and bullpen to swarm Palmeiro at second base.

"It was emotional. I wasn't expecting that," said Palmeiro, 2-for-4 with a walk. "I thought maybe for a second or two the game would stop and we could keep it moving, but they came out there."

He was cheered on each at-bat, and flashbulbs popped on every pitch with the record pending. Teammates mobbed him with hugs after his 3,000th hit and he received a lengthy standing ovation from the Safeco Field crowd.

"I'm very honored by the way the Mariner fans applauded," Palmeiro said. "I'm very thankful for that. I really appreciated it."

Rickey Henderson was the most recent player to reach 3,000 hits, accomplishing the feat Oct. 7, 2001, for San Diego.

Besides moving up on the career hits list, Palmeiro also tied Robin Yount for No. 13 with 583 doubles. His 1,187 extra-base hits rank seventh, breaking a tie with Frank Robinson. Palmeiro is within range of No. 6 Lou Gehrig (1,190).

"It's a great accomplishment," Seattle manager Mike Hargrove said. "Nothing can overshadow it. I, along with everyone else in baseball, congratulate him on a tremendous achievement."

Next within sight of 3,000 hits are Craig Biggio and Barry Bonds, each at 2,730.