Off the heels on a post regarding witnessing and experiencing the careers of many greats, one name stood out more to me, and means more to me than many of the others that yours truly discussed in that post (Lucky Existence: Witnessing the Careers of Many Greats), and that was Derek Sanderson Jeter.
Unlike the other careers name in that piece, I had the opportunity to follow Jeter's career from the beginning to it's current status. Long before he was "Derek Jeter", and became a figure in pop-culture amongst casual fans, Jeter was that young prospect who was scheduled to take over shortstop, "according to scouts" in 1998.
However, that fateful injury to Tony Fernandez happened, and Jeter was in, and never looked back. From his first hit in Seattle, to the dynasty years, and now to a place in time where he is solidifying his legacy, Derek Jeter's career is one that I am privileged, and honored to witness.
And as taboo as his accomplishment of breaking the record of Lou Gehrig may seem, it is amazing to believe that we had the opportunity to see someone pass the names of DiMaggio, Mantle, Ruth, and Gehrig. It is still something I cannot wrap my mind around.
With that said, here are the videos of a Jeter tying, and breaking the record for all-time hits for the New York Yankees: