Jeter Reaches 3,000 Hits With Home Run

By - Kris Fletcher

A little over an hour ago, Derek Jeter became the first player in New York Yankee history to reach the 3,000 hit mark, and he did it with style, drilling a solo home run in the third inning on a 3-2 curveball off David Price of the Tampa Bay Rays.

In doing so, he becomes only the twenty-eighth player in history to reach the hallowed hitting milestone.

Photo by: Robert Deutsch

Wade Boggs is the only other player to record his 3,000th hit with a home run. Ironically enough, he did so as a member of the Rays back in 1999.

Although Jeter has never won a batting title, he has twice been the runner-up. He has seven 200-hit seasons, and ten with at least 190. Only Pete Rose and Ty Cobb, who rank first and second on the career hits list, have more 190-hit seasons.

Jeter is the active leader in hits and the first player to collect his 3,000th since Craig Biggio of the Houston Astros did it in 2007. He is also the first player to achieve the milestone at Yankee Stadium, old or new.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg issued the following statement saluting Jeter:

"New York has a greater baseball tradition than any other city, but we've never had a player get all 3,000 hits in a New York uniform until today. Congratulations Derek, you've made all of New York City proud."

Once upon a time, I didn't particularly care that much for Jeter. I have to say though, over the years he's somewhat grown on me. The guy has been a model of consistency and an all-around class act, so my hat's off to him.

Way to make history with a bang Derek. You deserve it.