Historical Hitter

This is the time of year when football snags the spotlight from America’s pastime. While baseball doesn’t become completely immaterial, it does take a backseat to the NFL. There are still some gritty pennant races and divisions up for grabs. There are also plenty of dramatic walk-off finishes yet to be played. One record is still close to being surpassed. Derek Jeter, the famous New York Yankees shortstop, is three hits away from tying Lou Gehrig’s Yankees hit record. That leaves the celebrity ballplayer four shy of the prestigious record.
You can’t say enough about the captain of the Yankees. Jeter has some of the best instincts I’ve ever seen in baseball. He always seems to competently get the job done. Nine out of ten times, Jeter comes through at the plate. His occasional power and opposite field slugging remain the staple of the future Hall-of-famer hitter. Derek averaged 195 hits in his first thirteen seasons with the Bombers. Since 1995, he has had a .300 average or above in all but three seasons. Jeter clubbed 223 homeruns and drove in 1,063 runs in fourteen seasons in the Bronx. No one epitomizes professionalism and class more than Jeter. He is the rare ballplayer who is truly grateful to be on the field each day. Jeter is noble on and off the field and has a strong makeup backed by equally strong family values. It seems all too fitting for someone with Jeter’s character to break the record set by the humble Iron Horse himself. Jeter eschewed discussing the record. He is more focused on winning baseball games and getting his team in a prime post-season position. Jeter seems almost embarrassed and uneasy when his name is mentioned among the Yankee greats. That’s typical of Derek Jeter. He rarely endorses the spotlight being on a single player.
Gehrig set the all-time record for hits as a Yankee at 2,721. We will never know how many more the first baseman could have collected had he been healthy. Jeter is closing in on Lou, and could very well tie and break the record this Labor Day. The captain went 3-for 3 in yesterday’s dismal loss to the Bluejays at Rogers Centre. The 35 year old will step to the plate at least a half a dozen times this afternoon as New York plays a doubleheader against the Rays. Jeter is already an immortal New York Yankee. He breaking Gehrig’s long-standing record only propels the shortstop to the top of the list. The accomplishment would be quite stellar considering all the legendary men that donned the pinstripes since Gehrig exited the game. Jeter may not play in both games of the day-night doubleheader, but it’s almost a done deal number two will break the record before the week is over.
Jeter, to me, is the modern-day Gehrig. His starred in four World Series with the Bombers and has earned the right to be considered one of the greatest hitters in franchise history. There is little debate he belongs in the Hall-of-Fame. Jeter will put up a new mark that may never be shattered. Players today don’t often stay with the same organization their entire career. Even if they do remain, most don’t hit as consistently or get on base as much as Jeter. The captain even has a chance to take down Rickey Henderson’s stolen base record and Mickey Mantle’s games played record as a Yankee. Jeter’s celebrated and acclaimed career can be summed up by his quality play and well-mannered attitude. You don’t have to analyze him carefully to realize he is truly a special player. Years from now, Yankees fans won’t remember most of today’s players very well. But Jeter will always be the face of the Yankees during our generation.

Parting points: Song of the day- “Bittersweet Me” by R.E.M.