In the bottom of the first inning on Friday, August 8, New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter tied Pittsburgh Pirates legend Honus Wagner for sixth place on MLB’s all-time hit list with 3,430. Jeter grounded the first pitch from Cleveland’s Trevor Bauer up the middle. Indians shortstop Jose Ramirez made a running one-handed snag, spun completely around, and threw a strike to first base. However, first baseman Carlos Santana dropped the throw, allowing Jeter to reach safely.
The video show the throw head-high and within a very easy reach for Santana. It also beat Jeter by more than a full step. All indications say that the play should have gone down as an error on Santana, but the Yankees’ official scorer ruled it a hit.
Even this Yankee fan feels that Jeter may have gotten some home-town favoritism. Yes, this fan enjoys seeing one of his favorite players accomplishing such a significant feat, and it was definitely a tough play for Ramirez. Once Ramirez made the throw, though, it became Santana’s responsibility to complete the play. As a Major-League first baseman, he should have made the catch. FOX 1 Sports announcer Kenny Albert said during Saturday’s broadcast of the Yankees/Indians game that even Santana agrees that he should have made the catch.
The ruling of hit did not affect the outcome of the inning or the game as the Yankees won 10-6. It does, though, affect Bauer’s earned run average. All five of his runs allowed count as earned. Had Santana correctly received the error charge, then Jeter’s run would have counted as unearned. It is a small difference but one that affects Bauer’s game and season statistics even if just a little.
Derek Jeter has now gotten that tie-breaking hit, and he will get plenty more in his remaining 56 games. He deserves every accolade he gets, and when he gets his tie-breaker, he will have earned it. He will end his career as the #6 hit all-time hit leader regardless of Friday night’s scoring rule. Still, though, to preserve the integrity of the game and Jeter’s personal accomplishment, that play should have gone down as it actually occurred: E-3.
PHOTO CREDIT: Mike Stobe, Getty Images Sport
