Derek Jeter has reached a point in his career at which most athletes never find themselves. He’s played so well for so long, that the daily act of doing his job seems to bring about some new record, milestone, or echelon. Last night he joined Willie Mays, Rickey Henderson, Robin Yount, and… Craig Biggio(!) as the only players in history with 3000 hits, 250 homers, and 250 steals. Of those five, only Jeter and Mays add 1200+ RBI to the mix.
Last year saw Jeter’s finest achievement, his 3000th hit (accomplished in storybook fashion with a round-tripper), but this year the Captain has added more length, if not substance, to his resume.
The additions came in ascending order of coolness, beginning on Aptil 28th when Jeter drew his 1000th career base on balls. Six days later, he belted career double number 500. A week following, he tapped out to shortstop, in the process tallying his 10000th career at-bat.
Taken alone, 10000 at-bats, 500 doubles, and 1000 walks may not seem all that flashy (though it should, as only 17 players in history have reached those plateaus, and Jeter is the only shortstop) but when you include them in his cumulative career milestone catalogue, it’s pretty magical (these are just the plateaus, mind you, not his totals): 12000 plate appearances, 10000 at-bats, 1800 runs, 3000 hits, 500 doubles, 50 triples, 250 home runs, 1200 RBI, 300 steals, 1000 walks, and a .300 career batting average.
And counting.
It is not out of the question that 2012 could see Jeter attain one more milestone. He enters play today needing four more steals, but is on track for just three. If he quickens his current pace just slightly, he’ll steal his 350th base. Something tells me he’ll get the jets going before we close out the year.
-Ari Glantz
