Jeter On Pace To Do Something That Hasn’t Been Done In A Half-Century
Posted by Steve L. on May 10th, 2007 · Comments (4)
No, it’s not a ground-breaking invention, or something like that. It’s about making Yankees history.
Derek Jeter is presently batting .362, this season (including .481 with runners in scoring position). Last year, Jeter batted .343 on season.
The only Yankees to bat .340+ in back-to-back seasons are Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Earle Combs and Mickey Mantle.
Mantle was the last one to do it – when Mickey batted .340+ in 1956 and 1957.
It will be impressive if Derek joins this group.
Yawn.
But, what could be impressive is Jeter could have consecutive years with an OBA .075+ above the league average.
Yankees to have done that–
1 Babe Ruth 1920-24 5
T2 Babe Ruth 1930-33 4
T2 Lou Gehrig 1934-37 4
T2 Mickey Mantle 1955-58 4
T5 Babe Ruth 1926-28 3
T5 Lou Gehrig 1930-32 3
T7 Lou Gehrig 1927-28 2
T7 Mickey Mantle 1961-62 2
T7 Mickey Mantle 1967-68 2
T7 Bernie Williams 1998-99 2
T7 Jason Giambi 2002-03 2
Also, active players to have done it–
1 Barry Bonds 1990-98 9
2 Frank Thomas 1991-97 7
3 Todd Helton 2000-05 6
4 Barry Bonds 2000-04 5
5 Jason Giambi 2000-03 4
T6 Jim Thome 1995-97 3
T6 Gary Sheffield 1996-98 3
T8 Mike Piazza 1996-97 2
T8 Manny Ramirez 1999-00 2
T8 Gary Sheffield 2000-01 2
T8 Chipper Jones 2001-02 2
T8 Jim Thome 2001-02 2
T8 Brian Giles 2002-03 2
T8 Manny Ramirez 2002-03 2
T8 Travis Hafner 2005-06 2
T8 Albert Pujols 2005-06 2
Good lists! Thanks Lee.
This Derek Jeter kid might turn out to be pretty good. I better keep my eyes on him!