Jeter Moves Into 8th Place on All-Time Hits List

April 7, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees shortstop

(2) hits an RBI against the Baltimore Orioles during the third inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports

All Derek Jeter did to tune up for his final home opener as a Major League Baseball Player is pass a Hall of Famer on the all-time hits list. Jeter went 2-for-5 in the Yankees’ rubber game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto. Jeter took sole possession of 8th place on the all-time hits list with 3,320 hits. He passed Hall of Famer Paul Molitor. Growing up, Jeter admired Molitor’s play and he ended up getting a chance to play against him in the late 90’s. Jeter spoke on the topic of passing Molitor by saying, “I have a lot of respect for him and his career. Anytime you’re eighth in anything, it’s special.”

Jeter’s day spurned on the rest of the Yankee’s offense it seemed. The Bronx Bombers finally hit a home run this season in that game when Brett Gardner, of all people, hit a 2-run home run in the 4th inning. Brett Gardner was shocked himself after he hit the home run as he stated, “I don’t think anyone bet on that,” Gardner joked afterward about his homer. “The guys were giving me a hard time about it. I didn’t even know we hadn’t hit one.” The Yankees are now home for a three-game set against the Baltimore Orioles.

Jeter still has a chance to move up the ladder on the all-time hits list. The next spot up is held by Carl Yastrzemski who recorded 3,419 hits, while the spot above him is held by Honus Wagner, who only has one more hit than him.