Derek Jeter passed the Iron Horse — again.
Nearly four years after the Yankees captain passed Lou Gehrig to become the team’s all-time hits leader, Jeter knocked the iconic first baseman from atop another long-standing franchise record, taking sole possession as the team’s all-time doubles leader after recording the 535th of his career in Tuesday night’s 2-1, 14-inning win over the Rangers at Yankee Stadium.
After going hitless in his first three at-bats, Jeter came to the plate with one out in a scoreless game in the ninth inning. With an appreciative and sentimental crowd growing louder with each of his at-bats, Jeter laced a first-pitch fastball off of lefthander Neal Cotts into left field to end Gehrig’s 78 year-stretch with at least a share of the record, which Jeter tied on July 1 against Tampa Bay. Gehrig had passed Babe Ruth for the record in 1936.
Representing the winning run, Jeter was stranded at second after an intentional walk to Jacoby Ellsbury and a Carlos Beltran double play. Jeter then walked in the 11th inning and laid down a sacrifice bunt in the 13th inning, finishing 1-for-4.