Jeter, Yankees Return Home With 3,000 In Reach

With his eighth inning double off Cleveland Indians starter Justin Masterson, Derek Jeter inched closer to the immortal 3,000 hit club. The Yankees shortstop is three hits away with 2,997 for his career.

The Yankees and their captain return to Yankee Stadium tonight for a four game series against American League East rival Tampa Bay. Fans in attendance will be on their feet each and every time Jeter steps in the batters box. You can expect loud, animated, and well deserved ovations for No. 2. Baseball fans across the country, especially those of the Yankees, will be glued to the television this weekend waiting for the celebration.

Jeter’s run to 3,000 has caught the attention of the nation. HBO is planning a documentary about it. The Yankees are doing everything they can to plan on obtaining the ball. If it happens to be a home run, ground-rule double, or infield hit that is thrown into the stands, one fan will become one rich individual.

A home run as hit No. 3,000 would be exciting, but personally I would prefer a typical inside-out single to right field by Jeter.

It’s going to happen. Now it’s just a matter of what night. Will Jeter get a three hit night tonight against the Rays? Or will it come Friday, or over the weekend? The anticipation alone is worth it.

Jeter has fared pretty well against three of the four Rays starters scheduled to pitch this series. Tonight he will face Jeff Niemann whom Jeter has five hits in nine career at-bats. Jeter is 1-for-2 against Friday’s starter, rookie Jeremy Hellickson. Saturday appears to be the most challenging for Jeter as he is batting just .240 in 25 career at-bats against Rays ace David Price. If Sunday comes around and Jeter is still chasing the big number, have no fear. Jeter is batting .315 in his career against James Shields.

Jeter is not one to put to much into personal accomplishments, at least not publicly. 3,000 hits however, is one he should be proud of. Sure, all the World Series championships are great but he did not get those on his own. This one is all about Derek Jeter. Nobody else swung a bat, or beat out a infield single or bunt for him. He probably wants to get this ride over with and move on with the rest of the season.

Jeter will be the 28th player in history to reach 3,000 hits, but the first Yankee ever to reach the milestone.