Derek Jeter, the beloved New York Yankees shortstop, had an unbelievable Saturday, going 5-for-5, including the game-winning hit against Tampa Bay and passing 3,000 hits in his career.
With his hit, Jeter became the first Yankee and the 28th MLB player to reach the record, with a home run in the third inning. He also added three more hits as well as a single for the winning run, granting the Yankees a 5-4 win.
“If I’d tried to that script and given it to someone, even I wouldn’t have bought it,” Jeter said after the game. “It was a special day.”
At 37, Jeter returned from an injury and had a tough season this year, but he still managed to become the first baseball player to hit the mark since Craig Biggio in 2007.
Yankees manager Joe Girardi said “I don’t think you can script it any better. This is already movie ready. His 3,000th hit is a homer, and 3,003 is a game winner. Jeter was huge for us.”
The Rays manager Joe Maddon also praised Jeter despite Tampa’s loss. “It was a great day at the new Yankee Stadium,” he said. “There was a great buzz to this place.”
Jeter Reaches 3,000 Mark; Yankees Victorious Over Tampa Bay Rays
