Joe Girardi eyes better performance from Derek Jeter as player nears 3,000 hits – NHL Recap
Derek Jeter is the captain of the New York Yankees and that is something that he will have to carry through the 2011 Major League Baseball season as well. With well over 2,900 hits in his career, the short-stop is aiming to close in on the 3,000 mark this
season. With only 74 hits remaining on the incomplete tally, Manager Joe Girardi has come out to give his support to the player as a move to boost his spirits.
The skipper has seen improvement in his leader and he hopes to utilize his prowess, the best way any manager can. Girardi will be putting Jeter in the lead off position and even though he may have more options available for that role, there is no doubt the
entire squad will be comfortable with seeing their captain leading the run. Jeter has already surpassed Lou Gehrig and as he looks to go into an exclusive club as a 28th member, Girardi hopes he will be able to enjoy the moment.
"I hope he can enjoy it," said Girardi. "When Derek takes the field, he takes the field to do whatever he can to help the team win. If he gets his 3,000th hit on a day that we lose, he's probably not going to be real happy about it."
The power-house hitter was slightly above the .300 batting average and he plans to be up in the batter’s box, smashing tighter ground balls. Girardi has seen improvement and he will be observing his star player throughout the contest well.
"Some of the balls he's pulled with authority," Girardi said. "I've noticed that he seems to get to it better now. I think it's something that pitchers are going to have to think about. Everything he used to shoot more the other way and he'd pull some breaking
balls. I've seen him pull some heaters with authority. People are going to have to decide if the risk is worth it."
If Jeter manages to get to his 3,000 hits this year, this will aid his campaign in getting inducted into the Hall of Fame sooner, when he retires.
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