Derek Jeter Homers To Reach 3,000 Hit Mark

July 9, 2011 2:01 PM

Derek Jeter hits a solo home run in the third inning for career hit 3000 while playing against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium on July 9, 2011. (Photo by Michael Heiman/Getty Images)

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) – Derek Jeter’s bid for one of baseball’s most hallowed milestones, a mark never reached by other New York Yankees’ greats, is complete.

Mobbed by his pinstriped pals after the ball sailed into the left-field seats, showered by ovations from his fans, Derek Jeter stood alone – the first Yankees player to 3,000 hits.

WCBS 880′s Sophia Hall reports: Derek Jeter becomes Mr. 3,000

His first home run at Yankee Stadium this year, too.

A fitting crown for the captain.

With a swift swing of his shiny black bat, Jeter jolted himself into historic company, homering off Tampa Bay ace David Price in the third inning Saturday. He joined former teammate Wade Boggs as the only players to do it with a home run.

EXTRA: Complete DJ3K Coverage

The crowd went wild at Yankee Stadium when Jeter became Mr. 3,000. His teammates surrounded him while everyone in stands cheered “Derek Jeter! Derek Jeter!”

With a big smile on his face, Jeter hugged his teammates. It was a special time for No. 2. His second hit of the game, and right at 2 p.m.

Photo Gallery: Derek Jeter Reaches 3,000 Hits

The ball, one of the specially marked ones put in play for the occasion, disappeared into a cluster of fans a few rows beyond the wall. Surely, a valuable souvenir to savor.

This was a fairy tale ending not only for Jeter and the Yankees, but for the thousands of fans who were in the stadium to witness the 3,000th hit and many flocked to the concession stands to get their hands on DJ3K memorabilia.

fan 3000 Derek Jeter Homers To Reach 3,000 Hit Mark

A fan with a commemorative Derek Jeter 3000th hit book (credit: Sophia Hall/WCBS 880)

“I don’t think there will be another person doing the same thing anytime soon,” said one fan. “First time here in New York, it is great, beautiful.”

1010 WINS’ Kathleen Maloney reports: Fans Go Wild For 3,000th Hit

“I knew when he first hit it, it was going all the way,” said another fan. “I first saw Jeter in 1995, so I am very happy.”

Jeter was two hits short of the milestone at the start of Saturday’s game against Tampa Bay before singling in his first at bat.

The New York Yankees star grounded a single through the hole into left field and smiled as he reached first base.

The 37-year-old Jeter is just the 28th major leaguer to get 3,000 hits and the first to do it with the Yankees.

Did you see it? Offer your comments on Jeter’s achievement.

(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

Derek Jeter Homers To Reach 3,000 Hit Mark

Ken Pittman

As a life long Boston Red Sox fan, I’ll compliment him much more after he retires as a Yankee but this guy Jeter has to be considered a top 5 all-time New York Yankee on the list. I’m sure there are one or two arguments against it but his numbers state a strong case and his remarkable career comes with no scandal or controversy. What a pleasure it has been to watch this man’s entire career, despite the fact that I rooted against his team’s success, I always knew he was going to make history and now has once again.

bill p

Excellent comment.
Joe Fusco

Excellent comment x 2

Rick

I am a Mariner fan, but I recognize and respect greatness when I see it. Congratulations, Derek, for this monumental accomplishment! Yankee fans and baseball fans everywhere should be proud and awed.

Barb

Nice comment, Rick. I’m a Yankee fan, but when any player reaches any milestone, I am in awe. Regardless of what team they play for. Had Big Papi been the one to have reached it, I’d have cheered him – not display jealous disrespect, like many in these fans’ comments have, simply because Jeter is a Yankee.

Michael W

Congrats Derek for a job well done. Now, PLEASE, do not mess it up with anything that would taint your ability to be a hero to kids who love the game. Many of us are praying for you for just that because kids who love sports need role models to show them how it is done the right way..

Bart B

Well Said.

BigBoa

While the mighty Boa is far from being a fan of NY, this is still quite a feat to accomplish. Thus, the mighty Boa would like to congratulate Baby Rock on his success.
David Lieb

Leave it to Jeter To Hit 3000 In Walkoff Homerun Style Fashion A Moment That Will Live In NY Yankee Infamy

Paul Gabriel

Brilliant analysis, David (sarcasm). It’s not possible to hit a walkoff homer in the third inning….

SerfCityHereWeCome

When I’m in charge, EVERY Yankee road game will be a walkoff.

Archy Cary

WOW!! In the face of everything else going on, this is so….so…so monumentally important.

TomB

Please, its a great achievement, but let’s not get carried away.

Paul D

I think that was meant tongue in cheek there, Tom.

Herdfan137

I would love to have 15 players just like Jeter!!!
billybeer

He is a credit to his race, the human race. His family is one of the wonderful reminders that offspring are almost always a product of their environment. Doctor and Mrs Jeter have guided their children as all parents should. With love and expectations of good citizenship and integrity.

That, to me is America!
Fats Cunningham

It is always quite amusing to read the criticism from fat, slow, unskilled, no talent, unathletic people who could not even play minor league baseball .

Congratulations to Derek Jeter on his performance.

TomB

What are you talking about? The *one* comment talking about Pete Rose? Yeah, those anti-Jeter hordes really are trolling today.

Yankthis

***Yeah, those anti-Jeter hordes really are trolling today.***

You’re one of them. Just sayin’.

Jim Feury

Derek Jeter truly one of baseball’s all time greats. Mr & Mrs Jeter you raised a great son, thank you.
rick b

Class act! Great example to kids of all sports.!
shawn

who cares, glad this is over just so people stop talking about it…
Tom Greaney

Jeter has been an ambassador for the game of baseball and a class act. Mr. Clutch strikes again! Congratulations to you, Derek, you family and all of us fans. You’ve brought us many amazing moments in your career! Thank you. Tom Greaney and Karen Dole, Lisbon CT–INVETERATE YANKEE AND JETER FANS!
Rick Manz

Wouldn’t it be something if 5 years down the road we found out he was gived growth hormones (hello Rodger Clemonds).

ned3123

it would be better if we found out in 5 years that your BRAIN DAMAGE was reversed

Mark Singh

Big congrats to one of the best players of the game!
al hooper

A credit to the game – an intelligent player – Congrats!
Fred

Right up there with all the great”s in baseball. congrats !!
Mike_88

Was it a perfect pitch down the middle so the pitcher’s name would be locked in history with this event?
Johnnie A.

Congrats to Derek, the first player on the greatest sports team in history to 3,000 hits! Mr. Class Act on the classiest franchise in sports.

Duane

Really, just the best TEAM money can buy.

John

ALL major league teams are bought. That how it is done!!!

steve

OVERATED!! I’m sure if Pete Rose played in a band box like yankee stadium his whole career he would have 10,000 hits. I’m not saying Jeter isn’t a good player, but there are definitely a lot of much better players.

jls

oh, come on! a LOT??? of MUCH BETTER??? players? his 17-year career speaks for itself.
rob

hey steve- your comment is way out of bounds.
Last itime I looked, every infield in basball is the identical size.
How does a band box comment get you more hits if most of your hits are singles and doubles?
Jeter is a good basball player. He is certainly HOF, first ballot, no questions asked………..
No Yankee until now has ever hit 3,000 hits.
If you cannot say anything good, just stay home…….Congratulations , Derek Jeter

John Milner

Jeter is a class act and a great baseball player. All pro players should be more like him.

billybeer

Yeah, just think how much Pete Rose could have made betting on the Yankees as a player, with the ability to affect the score. Boggles the mind!!
Paul D

A band box would suit the home run hitter, which Jeter is not. And Yankee Stadium, in every incarnation has been a band box only in one direction- right field. Center and left fields are as big as any other park. Jeter’s remarkability lies in his post season numbers and clutch performances when titles are on the line. Most wilt under the big lights of playoff baseball while he raises his game. That, my friend, is the mark of a true champion.

Edbriel Rdz

One of the greatest players on and off the field. CONGRATS!!! NO steroids, only good food and a clean shave.

Derek you are the best!
HUGO

What a dramatic way to get number 3,000. HOME RUN! Derek Jeter is the MVP.