Dark_Angel
07-15-2004, 11:31 PM
Drum roll from the band, please.
:band:
Derek Jeter! :smokin:
Derek improves to .700 after 3-3 night
Associated Press
HOUSTON -- Add another impressive line to Derek Jeter's glittering resume: the most successful hitter in All-Star game history.
Jeter went 3-for-3 Tuesday night, upping his career totals in the game to 7-for-10. That .700 batting average is the highest for anyone with at least 10 at-bats, topping the .600 of former Philadelphia Phillies star Richie Ashburn.
"I don't know, it's not just good fortune," said Jeter, whose three hits all went to the opposite field against Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson and Carl Pavano. "I'm up there swinging early in the counts, especially when you're facing guys like Rocket and Randy Johnson."
Jeter's perfect night against the NL's best arms makes it even more mind-boggling that this is the same player batting under .200 a month into the season.
His turnaround was evident in June when he hit .396 with nine homers, helping lift his average to .277 at the break.
"Well, it's a long season. It's not over after the first month and a half or two months," Jeter said. "We've still got a long way to go. I just try to keep thing in perspective and take it day-to-day."
Earlier this month, the New York Yankees shortstop made one of the season's best fielding plays when he ran full-speed into the stands to catch a foul ball with two on and two out to protect a 5-4, 12-inning victory over the Boston Red Sox.
This was Jeter's second 3-for-3 performance in an All-Star game. He also did it in Atlanta in 2000, earning the MVP award. He went on to win the World Series MVP that season, making him the first player to pull off that double.
He was almost MVP again, finishing behind former teammate Alfonso Soriano. Jeter would have been the fifth two-time MVP in the award's 42-year history.
Although he's a four-time World Series champion and the career leader in postseason hits with 123, Jeter had never been voted by fans to start an All-Star game.
The previous five times he made it was as a backup to Alex Rodriguez or Nomar Garciaparra. His path was cleared in part by A-Rod moving to third base and Garciaparra being injured much of the season.
While Detroit's Carlos Guillen and Texas' Michael Young have had better first halves, Jeter's selection was another indication of his high-profile status.
The fact he plays for AL manager Joe Torre on the Yankees probably also helped keep him in the game for so many at-bats considering Guillen, Young and Baltimore's Miguel Tejada -- the winner of Monday night's Home Run Derby -- were on the bench.
Jeter's popularity paid off in another way, too.
He and hometown star Lance Berkman of the Astros were the catchers for the ceremonial first pitches thrown by two Houston area Little Leaguers.
When Jeter brought the ball to the mound, he was greeted by some playful jabs from guest of honor Muhammad Ali. Jeter then motioned with his glove for all the other All-Stars to surround Ali for a photo.
:band:
Derek Jeter! :smokin:
Derek improves to .700 after 3-3 night
Associated Press
HOUSTON -- Add another impressive line to Derek Jeter's glittering resume: the most successful hitter in All-Star game history.
Jeter went 3-for-3 Tuesday night, upping his career totals in the game to 7-for-10. That .700 batting average is the highest for anyone with at least 10 at-bats, topping the .600 of former Philadelphia Phillies star Richie Ashburn.
"I don't know, it's not just good fortune," said Jeter, whose three hits all went to the opposite field against Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson and Carl Pavano. "I'm up there swinging early in the counts, especially when you're facing guys like Rocket and Randy Johnson."
Jeter's perfect night against the NL's best arms makes it even more mind-boggling that this is the same player batting under .200 a month into the season.
His turnaround was evident in June when he hit .396 with nine homers, helping lift his average to .277 at the break.
"Well, it's a long season. It's not over after the first month and a half or two months," Jeter said. "We've still got a long way to go. I just try to keep thing in perspective and take it day-to-day."
Earlier this month, the New York Yankees shortstop made one of the season's best fielding plays when he ran full-speed into the stands to catch a foul ball with two on and two out to protect a 5-4, 12-inning victory over the Boston Red Sox.
This was Jeter's second 3-for-3 performance in an All-Star game. He also did it in Atlanta in 2000, earning the MVP award. He went on to win the World Series MVP that season, making him the first player to pull off that double.
He was almost MVP again, finishing behind former teammate Alfonso Soriano. Jeter would have been the fifth two-time MVP in the award's 42-year history.
Although he's a four-time World Series champion and the career leader in postseason hits with 123, Jeter had never been voted by fans to start an All-Star game.
The previous five times he made it was as a backup to Alex Rodriguez or Nomar Garciaparra. His path was cleared in part by A-Rod moving to third base and Garciaparra being injured much of the season.
While Detroit's Carlos Guillen and Texas' Michael Young have had better first halves, Jeter's selection was another indication of his high-profile status.
The fact he plays for AL manager Joe Torre on the Yankees probably also helped keep him in the game for so many at-bats considering Guillen, Young and Baltimore's Miguel Tejada -- the winner of Monday night's Home Run Derby -- were on the bench.
Jeter's popularity paid off in another way, too.
He and hometown star Lance Berkman of the Astros were the catchers for the ceremonial first pitches thrown by two Houston area Little Leaguers.
When Jeter brought the ball to the mound, he was greeted by some playful jabs from guest of honor Muhammad Ali. Jeter then motioned with his glove for all the other All-Stars to surround Ali for a photo.