| 01 June 2011
Well, it isn't going to happen on May 14, 2011 as our very own Nick2Slick predicted in March 2008, but Derek Jeter is likely to get his 3,000th career hit some time this month. In what has become more of a slog to 3,000 than most Yankees fans were hoping for, Jeter has been smacking infield singles left and right lately and is poised to make a run at the milestone during the upcoming 10 game home stand. Our friends over at TiqIQ have prepared a fancy landing page to help us track the magic date, which you can view by clicking the below image (please note, this is a STATIC image as of June 1. For updates, scroll to the bottom of this post):
Snarkiness aside, this is an exciting moment in Yankees history, and surely one that people will pay top dollar to witness in person. It is hard to believe that a storied franchise like the New York Yankees has yet to have a player reach 3,000 hits in pinstripes, let alone get all 3,000 with the team. Some will argue that 3,000 hits is an arbitrary number and isn't anything to go crazy over. While we see their point, we also know that sports is largely about emotion and witnessing something that only 27 other players have done in MLB history is special. Especially when it is the face of the franchise for the past 15 years, Derek Jeter.
For the record, TiqIQ currently projects that the milestone will occur on June 16 - a Thursday matinee against the Rangers before the Yankees head off to Chicago for a showdown with the Cubs at Wrigley Field in Chicago. TiqIQ's search lists over 10,000 tickets for sale for the projected milestone date, with a "get in the door" price of $13 for Grandstand Outfield tickets. Our recommendation is to hedge your bets now and buy some tickets for the end of the home stand. Sure, you stand to lose some money if Jeter doesn't reach the milestone, but you'll still have Yankees tickets! If you wait until it is more of a "sure thing," you'll definitely pay a lot more than $13 to witness history. Periodic updates after the jump....
Update (6/7/11): With the Yankees' 10 game homestand commencing today, now is a good time to drop in with a quick Jeter 3000th update. Derek's hit pace slowed down toward the end of the road trip, and TiqIQ is now projecting that Jeter will get his 3000th hit on June 20th against the Reds. 14 hits in 10 games would be quite the feat, but Jeter did it as recently as last month. (H/T @Bkabak for the info). Jeter doesn't have much history in Chicago or Cincinnati, so it might be time to start hoping Derek holds off until the following home stand to reach the milestone if you're a fan of mystique and aura.
