Derek Jeter Ties Lou Gehrig on Yankees All Time Hit List

Sports Betting News - September 10th, 2009 - Written by Scott

Derek Jeter came into Wednesday night's game against the Tampa Bay Rays suffering from a 0-12 slump at the plate. He came out of this slump in great fashion by going 3-4 and tying Lou Gehrig on the all time hits list by a Yankee. His 2,721 hits bring him tied with Gehrig, but this will not last long as he looks to break the record Friday night at home against Baltimore. After getting his record tying hit, his third of the game, Jeter stood on first base and listened to the roar of the crowd as they congratulated the Yankee's captain on his achievement. However, he had to take it all in with mixed emotions.

"I really didn't know what to do because we were losing at the time and I didn't want to disrespect Tampa," Jeter said. "I never dreamt about all of this."

The Yankees did however rebound and came from behind to beat the Rays 4-2 after Jorge Posada hit a three run homer in the 8th to put the Yankees ahead for good. He did have one more chance to break the record, but instead was walked by pitcher Grant Balfour which did not please the crowd, as they responded with a round of boos.

Jeter tied Gehrig's record Wednesday night that had stood for 70 years. Gehrig's career ended abruptly in 1939 due to an illness in which he died from, which is now named after him, two years later. Gehrig's last hit came on April 29, 1939. Had his career not ended so suddenly, Jeter could possibly still have quite a ways to go in tying him on the all time hit list.

The Yankee short stop started the 3-hit night by singling on a bunt down the third base line. He grounded out in the third, but followed this at bat up with a ground-rule double in the fifth. His record tying hit came on an opposite field single to right field.

Jeter came to every at bat with cameras flashing and the crowd cheering all night long. He had been trying to reach the 2,271 hit mark for a while and was glad he was able to do it at home.

"What an ovation I got from the fans," he said. "I've been trying to do it for them."

Gehrig passed Babe Ruth's hit lead on September 6,1937. Jeter will break this record and make it a high achievement for anyone who might come after him and break it. He joins an elite club in all time hits as a Yankee which includes some of the games greatest players, such as Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, and Yogi Berra.

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