The Captain gets his 3000th hit

Yankee and baseball fan alike will forever remember the day of July 9, 2011. It was a day where Derek Jeter who has been face of the New York Yankee baseball since mid-90s got his 3000th hit. This is a shortstop who has given this team five World Series rings but has had a tough season as age and father time are slowly enveloping the man once called The Boy Wonder.

Derek Jeter got his 3000th hit to the delight of the Yankees faithful with a home run off Tampa Bay pitcher David Price in his second at bat after getting a single in the 1st inning. It was a joy to watch as he was drenched in applause not just by the faithful and his teammates (especially Jorge Posada who was the first to mob him at home plate) but the respect he received from the Tampa Bay Rays.

It was a moment validating the class, poise and leadership Jeter has shown in his tenure with a team that has had 27 Championships and past greats (Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, Lou Gehrig, Goose Gossage, Reggie Jackson, Thurmon Munson, Catfish Hunter, Dave Winfield and before Jeter, Don Mattingly) play for them. Yet, the Captain was not done as he got three more hits during the game. Amazingly, he finished with a 5 for 5 game. You can't write a script like a script for a moment like that. In addition, his final hit drove in what proved to be the go ahead run and his 3003rd hit.

New York won 5-4 over the Tampa Bay Rays in front of a sold out crowd. Jeter is now the 28th ballplayer to reach 3000 hits. He is also the 4th youngest to reach this feat which features many notable names such as Ty Cobb and Pete Rose. Not only that, but he is the first Yankee to have 3000 hits, which is amazing considering the great hitters that have played for one of baseball's storied franchise in nearly a century.

In another note, the fan who caught the ball gave it back to Jeter and got some nice perks to boot as he describes his actions down below:




For the at-bat that led to the 3000th hit and home run it can be seen here: