Mr. Yankee Hits 3000

Derek Jeter smashed his 3000th hit yesterday afternoon, and it came as a homerun. A pretty amazing accomplishment for any baseball player, but when, maybe, the most recognizable face in baseball, on the most recognizable team in baseball does it, it’s a pretty big deal.

The Yankees anticipated this hit big time, they wanted to do everything in their power to get a hold of this baseball, and return it the man himself. The Yankees worst case scenario was a homerun. They had a staff of folks ready to dispatch throughout the stadium, just in case it did happen. Every ball pitched to Jeter that might have been the 3000th hit was specially marked, which means that anyone that caught the couple of fouls he popped out, has a pretty cool souvenir. How lucky for the entire Yankees organization though that 23 year old Christian Lopez caught the ball. The guy that caught the last Yankee milestone baseball was from a Alex Rodriguez homerun, and when security asked what the fan wanted, he told them $10, 000. The Yankees told him to take a hike.

What did Christian Lopez, the lifelong Yankee fan do? Without demanding a single thing, he returned it to the Yankees, and said that Derek Jeter deserved it.

The Yankees then gave him 3 signed baseball bats, 3 signed baseballs, 2 signed Jeter jerseys, a meeting and handshake with Jeter, a little behind the scenes look at the stadium with his dad, and girlfriend, who he went to the game with. Pretty money.

Of course, while the 3000 hits is fantastic, I’m more impressed by Jeter’s ex-girlfriend list.

Let’s start with Mariah Carey, and not 2011 Mariah Carey, I’m talking 1996 Mariah Carey, talking short jean shorts, and rollecoaster music videos. Jeter was just a year into being Yankee. He then went on to date Miss Universe Lara Dutta, Jordana Brewster (Fast and the Furious), Vanessa Minnillo (TRL host), Adirana Lima, Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, (that’s right both Jessica’s), Gabrielle Union, Scarlett Johansson, and countless Playboy, FHM, and Maxim models, oh yeah, and the Tiger Woods mistress, Rachel Uchitel.

Dude’s got game. He plays baseball too.