MANHATTAN — Derek Jeter again demonstrated his flair for the dramatic Saturday when he hit a home run to become the first New York Yankees player to reach 3,000 career hits. He then went on to drive in the game-winning run with his fifth hit of the day.
Jeter singled in his first at bat for hit number 2,999 before hitting a 3-2 fastball from Tampa Bay Rays pitcher David Price into the leftfield bleachers for his 3,000th hit in the third inning. Jeter's teammates and coaches were waiting for him at home plate where he was congratulated by longtime teammates Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera, among others.
The 37-year-old shortstop joined former Yankees third baseman Wade Boggs as the only other player to hit a home run for his 3,000th hit. Boggs, who notched his 3,000th hit while playing for Tampa Bay, had 702 of his hits while wearing a Yankees uniform.
The Yankees captain didn't stop at 3,000 hits. Jeter followed the home run up with a double in the fifth inning, a two-out single in the sixth and a run-scoring single in the bottom of the eighth inning. Jeter's 5-for-5 day at the plate marked just the third time in his career he'd notched five hits in a game.
Jeter's RBI single in the eighth inning ended up being the game winner as New York beat Tampa Bay 5-4 at Yankee Stadium on Saturday.
Jeter became the 28th player in baseball history to reach the 3,000-hit plateau, and the first since Craig Biggio did it in 2007 for the Houston Astros.
The Yankees shortstop passed Hall of Famer Lou Gherig on the team's all-time hit list in August 2009. Gehrig is second with 2,721 hits in pinstripes.
The Yankees wasted little time cashing in on Jeter's milestone. The team website posted 15 commemorative items for sale, including a Derek Jeter 3,000th hit hat for $40.
