NEW YORK -- Derek Jeter got his 2,000th career hit Friday
night, becoming the eighth player in New York Yankees history to
reach the milestone.
Jeter beat out a roller in front of home plate in the fourth
inning against the Kansas City Royals and advanced to second when
catcher Paul Bako threw the ball away for an error.
With the Yankee Stadium crowd chanting his name, Jeter twice
tipped his cap as he stood on second base. He stole third on the
next pitch and scored New York's first run on Alex Rodriguez's
single.
"He's not a numbers guy," Yankees manager Joe Torre said
before the game. "I don't think he'll be comfortable with any
delay. He'll want to get the show on the road."
The 31-year-old Jeter is in his 12th major league season. The
other players to get 2,000 hits for the Yankees are Lou Gehrig
(2,721), Babe Ruth (2,518), Mickey Mantle (2,415), Bernie Williams
(2,255 entering Friday night), Joe DiMaggio (2,214), Don Mattingly
(2,153) and Yogi Berra (2,148).