Many fans around the league despise the Yankees, but can’t hate Derek Jeter. Players in this day and age rarely are like him. Not only has he put up numbers through his whole career, but he has done it the right way and with one team all the way through his 20-year career.
As the Derek Jeter retirement tour continues, the Cleveland Indians’ fans were left with something to remember him by on Thursday as he laced a single up the middle off of Vinnie Pestano for his 1,000 multi-hit game. An amazing feat considering how few players have ever reach 3,000 hits in their careers.
The things that Derek Jeter has done is his career are just remarkable. He has been one of the most clutch performers in the history of the game. Not only does he have five rings as the Yankee captain, a World Series MVP, and more hits than anyone has every accumulated in the storied franchise history, but now this amazing accomplishment.
With his newest milestone Jeter, joined Pete Rose, Stan Musial, and Hank Aaron as just the fourth player to accomplish the remarkable feat. It is numbers like this that set him apart as one of the greatest players to ever play the game. During this achievement, Jeter has also accumulated 242 three-hit games, 41 four-hit games, and 5 five-hit games.
With the Yankees hearing devastating news about ace pitcher Masahiro Tanaka earlier in the week, the Jeter story brings positive news on a tough day in Yankee Nation. Although he is currently having one of the worst offensive seasons of his career and not the same player that he once was pre-ankle injury and in his prime, it is nights like this that make any Jeter moment must- see this season.
The Yankees are pitted in the heart of a pennant race in the always difficult AL East. Even while slumping at the age of 40, if Jeter can continue to add to his multi-hit numbers, he can be a bat that can carry the team to the post-season one more time. As one of the most clutch hitters to ever play the game, it wouldn’t be smart to bet against him.
Reference: Gammons Daily
Photo Credit: David Pokress