New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter strokes a home run Saturday for the 3,000th hit of his career.
July 9th, 2011
02:28 PM EDT
New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter joined Major League Baseball's elite 3,000-hit club Saturday on a home run, marking a perfect day at the plate at Yankee Stadium.
The dramatic, milestone-reaching blast was part of a performance that included hitting safely in all five at-bats and driving in the winning run against Tampa Bay.
And, with his third hit of the day, Jeter moved past Roberto Clemente - whose career ended at 3,000 hits - and alone into 27th place on the all-time hits list. He has the most hits of any active player.
In achieving the milestone, Jeter, who has played with the Yankees his entire career, accomplished a feat that eluded Yankee greats like Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle and Lou Gehrig.
Jeter hit a single for number 2,999 in his first at-bat of the game in the first inning. Then, in the third inning he launched the homer, his third of the year, into left field off Rays starter David Price.
Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Casey Kotchman tipped his cap to Jeter as he rounded first on his way to a big welcome celebration at home plate from his teammates. Several of the Rays stepped out of the visitors' dugout to applaud. The game was halted as the crowd of nearly 50,000 stood and roared. Jeter took several curtain calls from the dugout.