Yankees Diaries

The new Yankee stadium had the biggest moment in its short history Wednesday night when Derek Jeter tied Lou Gehrig’s record for most hits in pinstripes. With a single to right in the seventh inning, Jeter recorded his 2,721th career hit. This tremendous feat started with a hit on May 30, 1995 off Tim Belcher and now some 14 years later, the man continues to do it. Jeter had a chance to break the record in the eighth but walked on a 3-2 pitch by Tampa Bay reliever Grant Balfour.

Back in 1992, Houston Astros scout Hal Newhouser advised his organization to take Jeter with the first overall pick in the draft. But the Astros thought Jeter would fulfill his commitment to the University of Michigan, leaving them unable to sign the young prospect. Jeter slipped all the way to the six spot where the Yankees took him and it seems like he's been writing history ever since. The shortstop that has had so many big plays for the Yankees including a home run interfered with by a fan over the head of outfielder Tony Tarasco in the 1996 ALCS, throwing home to get Jeremy Giambi in the 2001 ALDS and many other memories that will never leave us.

It was a night at the stadium where the outcome of the game truly didn’t matter. Jeter said after the game that he was not expecting the ovation he received from the crowd and although he didn’t want to show up the Rays, he appreciated it. He also noted that at the time he had been thinking about getting the hit, although he was also trying to get on base because the Yankees were trailing at that point 2-0.

It also fitting how Jeter started the rally and Jorge Posada followed with a big hit. The two have been teammates for more than a decade, are great friends, and together have watched their careers flourish in the Bronx. It cannot be said enough how great it is to see Jeter goes about his business every day. Cheers to you, Mr. Jeter. We hope you can continue to fill our hearts with fond memories for another 14 years. --- Andrew Cohen.