(El Capitan -- c/o the AP)
Derek Jeter has certainly had his fair share of the spot light of late. As we head into the final few games prior to the Allstar Break though, all eyes will be focused on one thing– that elusive 3,000th hit. Chances are, the big hit will happen this coming Friday or Saturday. And as we get closer to the big moment, most fans’ sentiments — including cynics such as myself – will presumably shift to happiness (regardless of the game’s current status or our current perceptions of Derek’s ability) each time he’s up at bat.
Needless to say, it’s going to be a truly awesome moment for Derek, his friends, family, teammates, the Yankees organization, and of course Major League Baseball; but, it’ll also be a great moment for all of the devoted Yankee fans who have watched him develop as a player before their own very eyes. Given the hit-counter is currently resting at 2,997, I figured I’d spend a few minutes today reflecting upon the upcoming feat.
For the Captain, I can only imagine that this milestone will be representative of years of hard work and consistent dedication to his craft. For Jeter, the milestone may also reaffirm (at least in his mind) his overall contributions to the only organization he’s ever really known. Regardless, the entire baseball community will be watching with unabated breath as one of Baseball’s all time generational icons seals his place within the record books. At it currently stands, there are only 27 individuals with more hits than Jeter, and none of them are active.
Personally, I’m delighted for Derek. I realize some may read the former sentence with a raised brow as I’ve been fairly critical in my assessment of Jeter’s production over these past few seasons. However, I can definitely appreciate a career filled with success and also highlighted by longevity. It takes a very gifted athlete with a particular skill to get a milestone such as this. Similarly, it’s always special to witness a generational icon (who also happens to be the face of the franchise I cheer on) get the recognition he has rightfully earned.
Despite Jeter’s noticeable declining production in 2010 and thus far in 2011, his current hit pace should still be more than sufficient when it comes to surpassing some serious Hall of Famers in the very near future. Specifically, players within 200 hits of Jeter (at this juncture) include Roberto Clemente (who actually died in a tragic accident shortly after achieving his 3,000th career hit), Al Kaline, Wade Boggs (who was the only one to earn his 3,000th via the longball), Rafael Palmeiro, Lou Brock, Rod Carew, Rickey Henderson, Craig Biggio, Dave Winfield, Tony Gwynn, Robin Yount, Paul Waner, George Brett, and the “Iron Man” himself, Cal Ripken.
Consider this; even in 2010, a season marred by career lows, Jeter still managed to accumulate 179 hits on the season (his career average is 206 hits per season). This year, he has 71 hits thus far. If he accumulates approximately 70 or so more this year, and can hover somewhere between the 140-150 hit mark for the next couple of seasons — a range realistically attainable even if once he’s dropped in the batting order — there’s really no reason to believe he couldn’t potentially crack the top ten list of all time hit leaders.
By that point, he’d be surpassing names such as Eddie Collins, Paul Molitor, or even Boston-legend Carl Yastrzemski. While I really can’t envision a scenario occurring anytime in the near future where Ty Cobb or Pete Rose have to look over their shoulder, it’s still a remarkable milestone nevertheless. On a side note, it’s also pretty wild to imagine that within the next several seasons, another contender (a fellow Yankee no less) could ultimately challenge Derek for his spot on the list. Of course, that individual is Alex Rodriguez, and there will be several records which he’ll be vying for.
Anyway, feel free to jot down your own thoughts in the thread. Will this be a memorable occasion for you as a fan?
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13 Responses to The march to 3,000
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TIQ IQ
Since I live in Houston, the only game I’ll get to see is tonight. (Although I’m sure MLBN will break in for every at bat after 2,999) so I’m hoping for a three hit night. I think that for the duration we should forget his batting average this year and last, and forget where he should bat in the order. Let’s all enjoy a truly remarkable feat being performed by one of the best to ever way the Yankee pinstrips.
I was initially pretty ambivalent about the 3,000 hit milestone. My loyalty is almost always aligned with the team rather than the players (which thusly equates to less overall interest in individual feats). That said, Jeter has had a special career and has contributed a lot to the Yankee organization. He’s also mostly conducted himself in a positive fashion. It’s because of this that I’m beginning to lean your direction, Phil, and am just trying to appreciate the moment for what it is. I look forward to the hit and hope Jeter has time to enjoy the moment.
Just for fun, some odds of the 3,000 hit being:
Home run……..100/1
Triple……….250/1
Double………. 10/1
LD single……. 3/1
GB single……. 2/1
Inflied single.. 8/5
Bunt………..,1,000,000,000/1
Ain’t not way in hell Jeter tries to bunt for number 3,000
I would take the billion to one odds. LD single is how he passed Gehrig and i expect him to do that again.
If he does it by reaching on a bunt, wouldn’t that be an infield single?
First of all, damn, my spelling was terrible! Second, probably, but I meant it as opposed to a GB someone fielded but couldn’t throw his out. Third, in case you would ask, GB single is one that went to an outfielder. Takes yer choices and place yer bets. Imaginary, that is.
Haha ….understood. Just wanted to get the rules straight before I placed $$ with my bookie. You know how cranky they can get paying off on those billion to one shots!
The universe will come to an end before Jeet bunts with 2,999 hits.
Agreed. Of course, I can’t remember the last time I saw him bunt with a man on third and less than two outs either — or any other situation for that matter, come to think of it.
Check out today’s Wall Street Journal article speculating that perhaps the Yanks will be in the hunt for Reyes after the season. It seems unlikely to me because of the big contract that Jeter got last year. But it’s worth a read.
has there been two years back to back where guys have reached 3000 hits . if so has there ever been team mates who have done it back to back..jeter this year ..alex next year.
What Jeter is about to do is nothing short of historic and probably ranks in the top 5 if not the top 3 in personal achivements in Yankee lore. While people, including me, are down on him the past couple of seasons and the fact that he is grossly overpaid the fact of the matter is that Jeter has been a cornerstone of the Yankees since 96′ and will be remembered as one of the great SS and winners in MLB history. Hopefully, he can get a couple more rings on his hand and be remember more for the first 15 years of his career rather than the last three or four.
[...] Jeter continues his quest for 3,000 hits. He needs two more hits to join the elite club. I’m guessing he’ll get it done [...]