Top 10 Reasons Jeter's 3000th hit means something

What does 3000 mean?

Top 10 List of What a Milestone like this is…

People dream of this since they are kids. People go to sleep at night when they are kids thinking about taking that first step onto the diamond and throwing a few tosses before a game. Very few people get there, many more people try. Some people just try to watch.

In a few days Derek Jeter, the shortstop for the New York Yankees, will attain his 3,000th hit. Only 28 other players have ever done it. Very few will ever do it. Sure, I am positive you heard about this the past few days. It’s all over the place. However, there is a reason. So I give you my Top 10 reasons why this is important for us a people, Americans, New Yorkers, and fans.

10) We Need to Hope for Something – We live in a grim world. We spend too much time deciding who should get married, what murder case just botched up, and I don’t even care what a “debt ceiling” is. Derek’s hit means more than that. Whether you are a Yankee fan or not, you can’t ignore pulling for him to do this. It’s a part of the media that shows people determination and perseverance.

9) We Need a Hero – America, New York, you name it. We need heroes. In fact, there’s been years since we’ve had a real sports hero. Not someone like “Pacman” Jones who takes $40,000 in SINGLES to an “establishment”. Jeter is all American. He’s humble. His family is at almost every game. He gives back. Above all, he doesn’t like the attention. I know a boy to met Jeter not too long ago, and said he made him feel like he’s known him his entire life. This hit is more than just a hit. It’s a piece of history.

8) We All Have Something to Learn – That’s right. I said it. We all have something to learn from this. I don’t mean this offensively, but think about it, how many of us work to our fullest potential at anything? Jeter is not the best home run hitter or base stealer. In fact, he’s never won a season MVP. But you know what?  He’s solid every year. He comes out, gives it his all, and does what he can. Every day is a fresh start he approaches his job to lead using example. Imagine if we as people led more by example and experience then barking orders or expecting people.

7) Roberto Clemente – His 3000th hit was his last. That’s pretty elite company to keep. I see a lot of similarities between Jeter and Clemente. The most important…they help people. 3000 won’t be Jeter’s last hit, but rather, he’ll do what Clemente would have wanted…continue reaching out.

6) Tradition – One of my favorite lines from a movie is from “The Sandlot” – “Heroes are remembered, but legends never die.” Jeter has a chance for something legendary. Baseball is American’s pastime for a reason. It’s rooted in America. The face of baseball is a part of our history as a country. When you hear the name Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Willie Mays, and Stan Musial, there are stories of their legendary plays. Think about Jeter’s moments…will people say what they say in 100 years about him? I think so…

5) New York City NEEDS this – 10 years since 9/11. A lot has happened. We survived a blackout, botched attacks, layoffs, crisis, and now we have something in Derek Jeter we haven’t had in a long time….a beam of light. Jeter’s 3000th hit will be a special moment for the city of New York, and those who have continued to live in this wonderful city. Lifelong friends and fans have seen some of the ugliest images in the past decade, but when he gets his hit, it won’t be one of them.

4) Derek Jeter is Human – This is a lesson we all have to learn sometimes. Derek Jeter has taken a long time to get to this point. He has battled through as much as he can. However, he shows people that talent doesn’t have an age. Sure, he’s lost speed, maybe a bit of range, but he hasn’t lost his smarts. He plays the game he loves. Do we all do things we love? Jeter I am sure has good days and bad days, but overall, he plays. As humans, we should only be so lucky to have such courage.

3) Fans – A fan is something more than just a guy who goes to a few games or watches a few things on TV. A fan means you make an investment in a team for your life. You grow with them, you learn about them, feel like you know them, and hurt when they hurt. For me, Jeter has been an inspiration. Family is important to him, he says a short prayer before each at bat, and has patience. As a kid growing up watching Jeter, I knew he represented MY team, not his. I was a fan and he was there to make sure MY team played and won. MY team left a game feeling satisfied. He simply, was a player. Jeter made it very easy for me to be a fan. I am sure many will say the same thing. Jeter, when he get his hit, we’ll all get that hit with him, and that’s a pretty amazing thing.

2) Steroids – Jeter never used them. It’s a fact. He’s played in the time known as “the Steroid Era”. Jose Canseco, former player and author of “Juiced” and “Vindicated” discussing baseball and steroid use, even says in his book, “I don’t know how Jeter was so good without steroids.” Sometimes, talent is just talent. Sometimes it’s more. Jeter kept it together while people tried to pull it all down. Barry Bonds, Mark McGuire, and Sammy Sosa all don’t have 3000 hits and their home run records are forever looked upon as tainted. Jeter kept the game America loves honest, and continues to do so.

1) A Story Needed to be Told – Once upon a time, there was a boy from New Jersey who dreamed about playing shortstop for the New York Yankees. He never stopped working towards that until he achieved it. When he got there, he never let it stop. He was scared, but excited;  nervous, but anxious. He was small for his position, but HUGE in talent. He hit in his first game, even though he was batting 9th in the lineup. Today, he’s just 2 hits shy of something historical with a resume unlike an other’s in the game of baseball today.

It’s a story we all know. It’s simple and profound. Derek Jeter’s quest for 3000 hits means more then we know right now. Baseball historians will look at this in years to come as a rare feat from someone already called a legendary Yankee. You know why there’s so much media surrounding this? Because Derek Jeter is special, whether you want to say it or not, he’s different.

So, if he ever sees this blog….Mr. Jeter, we’re all pulling for you.