Pete Rose says Derek Jeter won't break his career hits record

**pwaldo** · 10-10-2012, 06:22 PM

http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/stor...er-hits-record

Pete Rose is a self-admitted big fan of Derek Jeter, but the all-time hits leader has done some math and says the New York Yankees shortstop will not touch his record.

Rose told the website Sports on Earth this week that not only is time not on Jeter's side -- he's 38 years old and 952 hits shy of tying Rose -- but the Yankees also don't have the flexibility to move him to another position should Jeter remain productive at the plate.

"I don't think he will break the record," Rose said. "First of all, I don't think he wants to leave the Yankees. And the Yankees, they're about winning. Jeter had a great year this year, but he's what? Thirty-eight years old? And he's a shortstop? How many 40-year-old shortstops you see walking around? Not too many, right?

"And they can't put him at third because A-Rod's there. They can't put him at second 'cause [Robinson] Cano's there. He don't help them in left field -- he's got to be in the center of things, you know what I mean? What are they going to do? Put him at first base?"

Jeter, Rose said, "had a great year this year, but you think he can do that again? At 39? A shortstop? Let's say he does it again. Let's say he gets 200 more hits next year. And let's say he gets 200 more hits when he's 40, though I don't think he can. OK, can he get 200 more hits when he's 41? You think he can?"

Rose continued, "I don't think he can get 200 more hits at 41, but let's say he does. OK, now he's 42. He's gonna get 200 more hits then? At 42? Let me tell you, I've been there, the body locks up. Jeter's a great hitter ... but he's gonna get 200 hits when he's 42? I don't think he will. And even if he does all that, he's still 150 hits short."

**DaClyde** · 10-10-2012, 06:30 PM

I tend to agree. Unless they ultimately convert him to a DH when he's a total liability at SS, he's not going to get close to the record. I'd be surprised if he even broke 4000, but I do think he'll land in the top 5 all time if he stays health. Ichiro, however, I see making a run for the "world" hit record.

**baseballboy2** · 10-10-2012, 08:00 PM

If he plays beyond next season, I predict he will get around 3600, which is still amazing. Put it this way, if he isn't going to get the record, I'd rather him retire as a Yankee. If he's motivated and really thinks he can do it, I'd settle with him playing on another team. I don't think he will be a Yankee beyond next season if he chooses to keep playing.

**Devlin** · 10-11-2012, 08:49 AM

As good as jeter is, he won't break this record

**spuds1961** · 10-11-2012, 09:15 AM

I don't think he will break the record,but Pete let's do some other math,If Jeter plays till age 45 like you did and averages 140 hits per year,which isn't out of the question he would have 980 more hits which will give him the record,but he won't hang on that long to pad his stats like you did.