Legends chime in on DJ3K

"Congratulations to Derek on reaching 3,000 hits and it is no surprise that he did it in dramatic fashion with a home run. Derek is such a large part of the Yankees very rich history and he has been such a great player for a long time. I am excited to continue to watch him play in the coming years and give all of us baseball fans more wonderful memories."  - Cal Ripken Jr.


“Congratulations, Jeet, on No. 3,000.  I wish I could have been at the Stadium today, but I was certainly glued to the TV in my hotel room in Arizona. In true Jeter fashion, you did not limp into the 3,000 hit club, but absolutely blew the doors off of it.  I celebrate with you, your family and friends, all your teammates through the years, the Yankee organization, and baseball fans around the world.  While the home run for number 3,000 is what everyone will remember from this day…knowing you…you probably are more satisfied with that eighth inning single up the middle that won the game. I was privileged to have the best seat in the house to see the majority of those 3,000 hits, and so many of your greatest  moments, and while today is yet another one of those moments to add to your amazing career in pinstripes, I know there is still a lot more to come.  Just exhale, enjoy it, and know what an honor it was to be your teammate for so many years.  Tonight, my last song is dedicated to you my friend. “  - Bernie Williams


"I want to give him a big hug. It's an absolute wonderful accomplishment."  - Yogi Berra


“Derek has always played with a relentless, team-first attitude.  And that mind-set has helped sustain this organization’s objective of fielding championship-caliber teams year after year.  It’s only fitting that he reach 3,000 hits during a victory against one of our American League rivals.

 

“Today we celebrate a remarkable individual achievement by one of the game’s greatest ambassadors. On behalf of the entire New York Yankees family, we congratulate Derek on his historic accomplishment.” - Hal Steinbrenner

“Reaching 3,000 hits was never a goal.  And especially with all the injuries I had, I never thought it was realistic. Watching Robin [Yount] get there first helped me relax.  It just happened naturally and 3,000 hits is as much a product of longevity as much as ability.  I knew it was rare achievement and that it might help me to get into the Hall of Fame. Looking back, I am proud to have reached that milestone.

 

“To have the most hits for the most prestigious franchise in all of sports is pretty special.  If Derek stays healthy, he has a good chance to rack up a lot more hits.”- Paul Molitor

  

“If you play as many games as I did and get as many at bats as I did, then I was eventually going to get to 3,000 hits.  It wasn’t until my career was ending did I realize how special it was to reach 3,000 hits, based on how few people had done it.  I am more proud of playing as long as I did, then anything.  My hits total was the culmination of playing 20 years and being healthy enough to do so.

“I love what I see of Derek Jeter.  He is the complete package:  a leader, clutch player, and lots of success on baseball’s biggest stage, New York.  Being the complete package is something every player dreams of. ”  - Robin Yount


“Long before joining the 3,000 hit club, Derek Jeter became another one of New York’s icons because he represents what is best in the spirit of our city: an unbreakable belief that with hard work and determination, anything can be accomplished. Perhaps above all else, Derek is someone who loves this city and who has a long history of giving back to the place and the people that helped make him the superstar he is. New York has a greater baseball tradition than any other city, but we’ve never had a player get all 3,000 hits in a New York uniform until today. Congratulations Derek – you’ve made all of New York City proud.”- New York mayor Michael Bloomberg

“Congratulations, first of all, to Derek Jeter on joining the 3,000 hit club. It is an exclusive honor, achieved by only a select group, that not many people can call their own. It is a monumental achievement, and Derek has climbed the mountain. He's reached that honor, where he can stake his flag in the mountain and call it his own.

 

“I had the opportunity to play with Derek when he was a rookie in 1996, and I had no doubts that Derek would reach this milestone. He is a very consistent player and he never deviated from his game. When you stay healthy and you are consistent and compile a lengthy career like Derek has done, you have the opportunity to reach that 3,000 hit plateau.

 

“Reaching the 3,000 hit mark is another piece of the legacy that Derek has created. It won't be too long now before we are on the verandah in Cooperstown at the Otesaga Hotel celebrating his Induction to the Hall of Fame.” - Wade Boggs