Derek Jeter's 3000th Hit: A Moment Bigger Than Baseball

I unfortunately do not remember in what year I started following the New York Yankees religiously but it was probably around 10 years ago.  This is not say that I didn't watch games before then because I do vaguely remember the teams of Brosious, Martinez, O'Neill, Cone, Wells, and El Duque.  "Back in the day" when I was just a wee-lad, an awkward, lanky, nerdy middle schooler, I loved the Yankees and remember watching games upstairs in our spare bedroom because my brother would have nothing to do with baseball (there is a story there for another time).  As a kid, I would watch the fervor, integrity, and reverence, with which Derek Jeter played the game.  At that age, I don't think I fully grasped how important Jeter is to America's greatest pasttime but I know that in the 10 years since then, I have come to learn the pivotal role Derek plays in the lives of young little leaguers as well as teammates making more money than he is.

Earlier this afternoon, Derek Jeter added to his Yankee legacy and baseball immortality when he connected on a 3-2 pitch from David Price, launching the ball into the left field seats for his 3rd HR on the season, and obviously more important, his 3,000th career hit, the first Yankee to ever accomplish the feat.  Of course personal milestones are never in the forefront for Derek, the consummate team player and the 5-4 win against the Rays was more important he'll say but this day will be remembered for him, not the team.

After a 3 minute ovation from his teammates, the crowd, and the Tampa Bay Rays, Jeter had cemented his ticked to the Hall of Fame as one of the most likeable players in sports who seems to be able to do no wrong despite the fact he plays for the "Evil Empire."  Even Boston Red Sox fans should applaud Derek for his accomplishment and the way he went about his business everyday. 

You couldn't have written a better script for Derek on this summer Saturday in the Bronx with the exception of a game winning 3,000th hit.  His home run in the 3rd inning tied the game and Derek ended the afternoon going 5-5 in a game where he could do no wrong and all his hit balls found holes.

The 48,103 people who watched today's game at the Stadium witnessed one of the most memorable moments in Yankee history.  Many of the fans today at the game today are probably just like I was 10 or 12 years ago, an awkward, lanky, nerdy kid who loves baseball.  Hopefully they recognize the significance of this historic day and instill the same admirable traits that Jeter portrays on their kids some day as I know I will. 

Derek Jeter's 3000th hit is more than a personal milestone and an historic baseball moment.  It is a moment where we recognize a role model for all the good he has done for the game of baseball and for the world.