SQUEEZE PLAY:A beaming Minka Kelly (center-above) cheers on boyfriend Derek Jeter during his milestone afternoon yesterday at Yankee Stadium before the happy couple headed to a Manhattan helipad en route to celebrate hit No. 3,000. (N.Y. Post: Charles Wenzelberg)
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Derek Jeter stands alone in history as the only Yankee to record 3,000 hits, but the man himself is not alone. Jeter’s entire career and life have been shaped by his relationship with his parents, Charles and Dorothy, his sister, Sharlee, and the rest of his family and friends.
So when Jeter collected that magical 3,000th hit yesterday, a home run in the third inning off the Rays’ David Price, Jeter’s singular achievement was shared by many in his inner circle. His father, a substance abuse counselor, was one of the 48,103 spectators on hand at Yankee Stadium, as was his girlfriend, actress Minka Kelly. Dorothy and Sharlee were at a family Christening.
“First of all we need a victory,” Charles told YES Network’s Kimberly Jones, sounding very much like his son by putting team in front of self. “It was just tremendous. I really can’t describe how I was feeling. He hits a home run on the 3,000th hit. I can’t describe it. Very emotional. Very happy for him.”
Charles said he spoke to Dorothy and Sharlee on the phone after the big moment and that “they are here in spirit. They’re very proud of him.”
Charles said Derek, who admitted in recent weeks the pressure of the chase was weighing on him, knows just how big an accomplishment it is to reach the heralded milestone.
“I think he realizes this is a special moment for him,” Charles said of his son, whose 16-year career has included numerous special moments, highlighted by five World Series championships, the famous flip play, the Mr. November home run and the legendary dive into the stands to catch a pop-up against the Red Sox. “Being a Yankee, playing on tremendous teams, I’m sure he’s extra proud because it means a lot.”
Three thousand hits means a sure spot in the Hall of Fame. But when it comes to discussing Jeter’s place among the all-time greats, Charles — like his son — is respectful of the past and of Yankees history.
“You’re talking about the greatest players that ever played the game,” Charles said of Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, Mantle and company. “And right now there’s no comparison, Derek with those guys. It’s just tremendous, knowing the great history, knowing the great players that have played with the Yankees. So it makes it even more special.”
Charles also recognized what the occasion meant to the fans who have witnessed 27 World Championships but never a player’s 3,000th hit.
“Yankees fans are tremendous,” Charles said. “They’re known for knowing their history. For [Derek] to be a part of it, to get to 3,000 hits, it would’ve been special anywhere, but here at Yankee Stadium in front of the fans, it’s just tremendous.”