The 35-year-old shortstop made his major league debut in pinstripes on May 29, 1995, and hasn’t played for any other team in his career. He was the American League’s Rookie of the Year in 1996. He is a lifetime .317 hitter with a .387 on-base percentage and .459 slugging percentage, and he also has won four rings, three Gold Gloves and three Silver Sluggers.
Unfortunately for New England, a fair amount of Jeter’s success has occurred facing Boston’s hometown team. Against the Red Sox in his career, Jeter has amassed a .291 batting average, .355 on-base percentage and .412 slugging percentage. In 872 at-bats, he has 102 RBIs on 254 hits — including 30 doubles, three triples and 24 home runs. Add 45 stolen bases and 71 walks, and the Red Sox have a very formidable opponent.
Jeter’s success has, more or less, held up in 2009. His .258 average against the Sox this season is a bit low, as is his .300 on-base percentage and .330 slugging percentage, but the Red Sox’ most recent encounter with the Yankees serves as a microcosm of Jeter’s outstanding career-long achievements.
On Friday, he went 3-for-6 with a double and two RBIs. On Saturday, the Sox enjoyed a brief respite from his mastery of Boston pitching, as Jeter went hitless in three at-bats. Then it was back to business as usual Sunday, as he went 2-for-5 with a solo home run to bring his season average to .332.
Jeter’s success during the series (5-for-14 with five runs and three RBIs) came at a very inopportune time. After getting swept by the Yankees in a four-game set in early August, the Red Sox had one more shot to get back in the AL East race by winning the series in Boston. But instead of making up some ground, the Red Sox lost two of three. The only game they won was the game during which Jeter failed to reach base.
That says something.
