Derek Jeter moves into fourth place on all time singles list

By Mike Marteny | Jul 6, 2014

Jul 2, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter (2) reacts after being unable to throw out Tampa Bay Rays center fielder Desmond Jennings (8) (not pictured) during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter moved into fourth place on the all time singles list with a single in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. The hit came off of the Twins’ Ricky Nolasco. It was one of seven that he gave up in the first two innings to the Yankees.

The Yankees now lead the Twins 6-0 through two innings.

This was Jeter’s 2540th career single, passing Hall of Famer Wee Willie Keeler. Keeler played 19 season with five different teams from 1892-1910. Keeler had a streak of eight consecutive 200 hit seasons in his prime with the Brooklyn Superbas and the Brooklyn Dodgers.

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Jeter now trails just Pete Rose, Ty Cobb, and Eddie Collins on the all time singles list. Cap Anson reportedly had 2,614 singles, but he was not considered part of the “modern era” of baseball. The modern era refers to post-1900 baseball when statistics were tracked much more extensively and accurately.

Jeter needs 103 more singles to tie Collins, which does not seem likely to happen in the next two and a half months.

The next closest active player to Jeter is teammate Ichiro Suzuki, who has 2,269 singles, but has accomplished that feat in six less seasons than Jeter.

The only member of the top 15 of the singles list that is not in the Hall of Fame besides the active Jeter is Pete Rose, who is the all time singles leader with 3,215.

That bodes well for Jeter’s Cooperstown application which will be completed in a few short months.