Pinstripe Power

Derek Jeter passed Lou Gehrig last night to become the Yanks' all time hit leader.

Collectively, they have 19 All-Star appearances, two Gold Gloves, an American League MVP and an AL Championship Series MVP.

But that didn't stop Alex Rodriguez, Jorge Posada and Andy Pettitte from marveling at Derek Jeter's accomplishment any less.

The three were among the roughly 30 Yankees who cleared the dugout on Friday to trot out to first base after Jeter's third-inning single moved him past Lou Gehrig for sole possession of the franchise all-time hits record, at 2,722. The captain added a hit in the fourth inning to push what promises to be an ever-expanding record to 2,723.

"We've been playing so well lately, so we felt we could all really enjoy [Jeter's] moment," said Rodriguez, who led the group of players onto the field in what he deemed a spontaneous but well-deserved tribute.

"It's really all about [Jeter]," he said. "I think every player was more about his [record-setting] hit than anything else the last few days, which has been great."

It was a fitting tribute, as the already rain-delayed game stopped for three minutes following the record-breaking single, allowing some of the longtime Yankees to feel the magnitude of the moment.

"You knew he was special, you knew he carried himself a little bit different than a lot of other guys," said Friday's starter, Andy Pettitte, of the first time he saw Jeter in Greensboro, N.C., in 1992. "You knew really early that he was a great player, but not only was he a great player, he took it to another level in big situations and in great moments that could be made."

And Friday's moment was among the best, a fact that even a notoriously team-first player such as Jeter couldn't ignore. After reaching first, Jeter was greeted with a line of hugs from his teammates before doffing his helmet twice to the rousing home crowd of 46,771.

Even as jaded as I am over sports and the Yanks in particular, to see something New Yorkers can be damn proud of happening on September 11th is nice to see, period.