Derek Jeter: The Captain's 5 Most Thrilling Moments in Pinstripes

At long last, New York City can breathe again now that Derek Jeter is officially a member of the 3,000-hit club.

With one decisive and, well, rather Jeter-like swing, the Yankees captain became the 28th person in Major League Baseball history to reach the coveted milestone by depositing a pitch from Tampa Bay Rays ace David Price into the left field bleachers at the new Yankee Stadium, which may be referred to rather appropriately as the "House That Jeter Built."

Clearly, a moment like this, wherein Jeter not only solidifies his status as an all-time Bronx Bomber but also cements his place as an immortal in the game of baseball, belongs among the most memorable of a wildly successful 17-year career in which "Mr. November" has been the Rookie of the Year, the MVP of the All-Star Game and the World Series, five times a Gold Glove winner, 12 times a participant in the Midsummer Classic and five times a World Series champion.

In the spirit of this joyous occasion for the Yankees faithful and for all who appreciate the rich history and tradition of the game of baseball, here are the five most exciting moments of what will surely be the Hall-of-Fame career of Derek Jeter. 

The Dive: July 1st, 2004

Like that of any true Yankee lifer, Derek Jeter's career is filled with memorable moments and important plays in games against the hated Boston Red Sox.

Perhaps the most memorable of all, as well as the most character-defining, came in July of 2004, when Jeter, being the fearless leader that he is, took a dive into the seats along the third base side at Yankee Stadium while in hot pursuit of a pop foul in the top of the 12th inning of a contentious game against the boys from Beantown.

And, in truly Jeter-like fashion, emerged from the accident a bit battered and bruised in the face, but most importantly, with the ball firmly in his glove. The play turned out to be a fairly important one in the flow of the game as well, as the Yankees would go on to defeat the Red Sox in 13 innings, though fans will never forget that iconic image of Jeter shaking off the after effects of the spill with a fresh cut under his eye, demonstrating the toughness and the will to win that have made him a legend. 

Jeter Becomes Mr. November: October 31st/November 1st, 2001

It wasn't until 2001, when he already had four World Series rings on his fingers, that Derek Jeter earned the nickname "Mr. November."

The tragic events of September 11th, 2001 brought baseball across the country to a halt near the end of the season, which inevitably postponed the start of the MLB playoffs. All told, the delay resulted in the first-ever occasion of meaningful baseball being played in the month of November, which Jeter made even more meaningful with one sweet swing.

With the clock inching past midnight from Halloween night into the first minutes of November, Jeter stepped up to the plate and delivered a walk-off home run to defeat the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 4 of the 2001 World Series.

The Yankees eventually succumbed to the D'backs in seven games, though the moniker of "Mr. November" ensures that no one will soon forget who emerged victorious in that moment.

The Flip: October 13th, 2001

Earlier that same postseason, Derek Jeter made what is arguably the most incredible play of his career, if not one of the most clutch defensive plays in the history of baseball.

Down 2-0 in the ALDS to the Oakland A's and facing elimination in Game 3, the Yankees needed some serious help to preserve a 1-0 and, subsequently, a shot at a fourth consecutive World Series championship.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, A's outfielder Terrence Long stroked a double just inside the first base line, sending slow-footed first baseman Jeremy Giambi through to third and on his way home. Yankees outfielder Shane Spencer picked up the ball and let off a wild throw toward home plate, missing both cut-off men along the way and making a 1-1 tie all but imminent.

That is, until Jeter, whose middle name might as well be "Johnny-on-the-Spot," hustled from the pitcher's mound to the first base line, fielded the errant toss with his bare hand and flipped it 20 feet to his right, against the direction in which his body was headed, to catcher Jorge Posada, who promptly tagged out Giambi just before he crossed home plate.

As one might expect, the raucous crowd in Oakland quieted down rather quickly thanks to Jeter's lengthy journey away from his post at shortstop. 

Jeter Passes the Iron Horse: September 11th, 2009

As far as hits of historic significance are concerned, Derek Jeter first became familiar with the overwhelming anxiety that comes with approaching a lofty milestone when he became the New York Yankees' all-time franchise leader in career hits.

Jeter notched hit no. 2,722, a single off pitcher Chris Tillman, in the third inning of a game against the Baltimore Orioles in September of 2009, to pull ahead of Lou Gehrig, the "Iron Horse," as the most prolific pinstriper to ever grip a bat.

Jeter Joins the 3,000-Hit Club: July 9th, 2011

If a single to pass Lou Gehrig belongs on this list, then so does Jeter's bomb to left field to put him in select company in baseball history.

In one motion, Jeter became the first player in the history of the New York Yankees, by far the most successful franchise in all of baseball, to reach 3,000 hits, relieving himself of the tremendous weight that comes with approaching and reaching a career milestone while asserting himself as the fourth youngest player to ever join this exclusive club.

And, for good measure, the solo homer gave the Yankees a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays.