Tip Your Cap to Derek Jeter, First Yankee to Get 3000 Hits [Video]

Today Derek Jeter became the first Yankee to get 3,000 hits, and the 28th Major League player to reach that milestone. Jeter made his Major League debut in 1995, and since then has won five World Series, 12 All Star selection, five time Gold Gloves; and a four time Silver Slugger.

This past off-season there were many speculations if Jeter would return to New York. Coming off his worst season in his career, and with Boston making a push to sign Jeter; the Yankees agreed to a three-year-deal with a fourth year option. It would not be the same to see Jeter in a Boston Red Sox jersey.

If you take a look at the Yankees all time hit leaders. Lou Gehrig with 2,721 hits, Babe Ruth 2,518 hits, Mickey Mantle 2,415 hits, and now Jeter stands alone on top with 3,003 hits and counting. There is no question as a hitter, Jeter is one of the best in Yankees history.

As a storied franchise that dates back to 1901, its hard to believe that no other Yankee hitter has eclipsed 3,000 hits until 110 years after the Yankees franchise started. Now Jeters plague will stand next to Ruth, Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mantle in Monument park. Jeters' name belongs up with those names, not just because of his accomplishments, but because his jersey follows a chronological order with his number at 2, Ruth-3, Gehrig-4, DiMaggio-5, and Mantle-6(Mantle started his career with 6, but is more remembered as number 7).

The debate is already on if Jeter is a Hall of Fame candidate. There have always been these unwritten rules that you need at least 300 wins as a pitcher to get in Cooperstown, and hit 500 homer runs, and get 3,000 hits. Yet if Ruth, and the other Yankee greats never hit 3,000 hits are in the Cooperstown even though most of the Yankee greats hit over 500 home runs, its no question that Jeter has earned a plaque in Cooperstown.

Lets not start picturing Jeters induction speech, but reflect on his career, and achievements, and look to the future, and see what Jeter can achieve in the rest of his career. The Yankee legends are ready to welcome Jeter in Monument park, but not right now.