Derek Jeter set off bedlam in the Bronx in the third inning Saturday, homering off Tampa Bay’s David Price into the seats in left field for the 3,000th hit of his career.
After singling sharply to left field in his first at-bat Jeter worked the count to 3-2, fouled off several pitches and then took a Price offering deep into the left field grandstand seats. The game was delayed several minutes as members of the Yankees streamed onto the field to congratulate the Captain, and by the raucous ovation from the packed house at Yankee Stadium.
Jeter, 37, is the fourth-youngest player to reach 3,000 hits. Only Robin Yount, Hank Aaron and Ty Cobb were younger.
Jeter’s quest for 3,000 seemed to take forever as he went on the disabled list for three weeks with a calf strain when he had reached 2,994. Friday night’s game against Tampa Bay was rained out with Jeter sitting at 2,998 hits.
The home run was only the third of the season for Jeter. It was the 237th of his Hall of Fame career. Jeter is the 28th player in major league history to reach 3,000 hits and only the second to do so via a home run. Wade Boggs homered for his 3,000th hit on Aug. 7, 1999.