Derek Jeter was wear ing a microphone for an upcoming HBO special during the historic game when he reached his milestone 3,000th hit, the network revealed yesterday.
It is rare that players on the field are allowed by Major League Baseball to wear microphones, for fear the recording devices might be used to pick up information that could sway the outcome or disrupt a game.
But because it was the league’s own TV production arm making the one-hour special, Jeter was permitted, for the first time, to wear the special mike that picked up all the sounds of the historic game July 9.
In the game, the star shortstop went 5-for-5 and became the first Yankee to reach 3,000 hits in a career.
The special, called “Derek Jeter 3K,” was fast tracked and will air next Thursday, HBO said yesterday.
Jeter also allowed cameras to follow him in the weeks leading up to the game — when he injured his calf and had to go through rehab before rejoining the lineup.