Derek Jeter went 1-for-5 Sunday, bringing his career hit total to 2,986 as the New York Yankees ended a nine-game West Coast trip with a 5-3 victory over the Los Angels Angels of Anaheim.
The Yankees begin a 10-game homestand Tuesday night — three against the Boston Red Sox, four against the Cleveland Indians and finishing with three against the Texas Rangers. All eyes will be on Jeter to see if the Yankee shortstop can reach the milestone by the time the homestand ends on June 16 against Texas.
Jeter is currently hitting .260 and has 60 hits in 55 games. At his current pace Jeter would get 11 base hits during the homestand, leaving him at 2,997 hits, three shy of the milestone, when the Yankees head to Chicago to face the Cubs in inter-league play.
Somehow, it would seem like a travesty if Jeter were to become the first Yankee to reach the 3,000-hit plateau against a National League team he has only played six games against in his career and in a ballpark that is foreign to him.
To reach 3,000 hits at home Jeter will have to pick up the pace a bit. The Yankee Captain has nearly always risen to the occasion in the big moments of the playoffs and pennant races.
I have a feeling this will be no different. I will be surprised if he doesn’t reach the 3,000-hit mark during the June 14-16 series at Yankee Stadium against Texas.