When Derek Jeter Gets His 3,000th Hit This Weekend, Just Remember This

When Jeter gets his 3,000th hit and throws up his hands and grins and teammates come pouring out of the dugout in celebration and Michael Kay weeps and the camera flashes to Minka Kelly and Jeter is brutally mocked on twitter because that’s what people on twitter do … remember what Doug Glanville wrote in the New York Times today:

"To get 3,000 hits, you have to average 200 hits for 15 seasons — a phenomenal career. By the time Jeter turned 25, he was in his fifth year and working on his second 200-hit season … And Jeter has done it all outside the taint of the steroid scandal … Jeter’s career has been more like a plateau curve … In many respects, he spoiled us. When you progress on a flat line, outside observers are lulled into the tacit expectation that this is how it’s supposed to be."

Class. Excellence. Consistency.

I’m not really in the mood for the “is Jeter the best shortstop of all-time” debate or the discussion about where he ranks among the greatest Yankees of all-time. Perhaps we can debate that this weekend. Off the cuff, I’d say he’s top three in both categories.

Previously: Jeter’s Resume or Timberlake’s Resume?
Previously: Derek Jeter is dating the Sexiest Woman Alive
Previously: Derek Jeter & Minka Kelly Swimming in St. Barts