Rays’ Joe Maddon expects to witness Derek Jeter’s 3,000th hit

Rays’ Joe Maddon expects to witness Derek Jeter’s 3,000th hit

 MINNEAPOLIS -- This seven-game, two-city road trip through Minnesota and New York comes with a pair of opponents on the doorstep of milestones.

Twins DH Jim Thome, who didn’t play Monday, needs five home runs to reach 600 for his career, while SS Derek Jeter returned Monday to the Yankees’ lineup six hits shy of 3,000.

"They’re both going to do it at some point, hopefully not against us, but if they do, that’s fine," manager Joe Maddon said.

It is tough to imagine Thome could hit five home runs in the last two games of this series, but Jeter’s milestone could come during the four-game series with the Rays that begins Thursday.

"It’ll happen against us," Maddon said before Monday’s 7-0 loss to the Twins.

Yankees’ Derek Jeter runs out a ground ball in the first inning in a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians, Monday.

And when it does, Maddon will tip his cap to a player he greatly admires. Maddon’s one concern is Jeter’s pursuit of 3,000 energizes the rest of the Yankees. Maddon felt that happened in 1995 when Cal Ripken Jr. broke Lou Gehrig’s record for consecutive games played during a series against the Angels.

Jeter’s milestone is a little different, since you can’t predict exactly when he will get the magic hit.

"But there’s still going to be this energy bubble," Maddon said. "It’s strong enough (at Yankee Stadium) to begin with. Every night is like a playoff game there. It is. It’s awesome, and I think it’s great."

Maddon said Jeter’s historic moment is inevitable, but added, "You don’t want it two out, bottom of the ninth, tie score."

And what if that scenario happened during Sunday’s finale and Maddon strategy called for Maddon to walk Jeter?

"I wouldn’t be able to leave that place," Maddon said. "I’d be, oh, my God, vilified. Vilified."

Vote for Zoby

Fans have until 4 p.m. Thursday to vote for UTL Ben Zobrist in MLB.com’s "Final Vote" for the last spot in the American League All-Star Game. Zobrist is one of five on the ballot, joining Alex Gordon (Royals), Adam Jones (Orioles), Paul Konerko (White Sox) and Victor Martinez (Indians).

When asked what he thought his chances were of winning, Zobrist said, "Good question. I couldn’t tell you. Hopefully the Florida fans vote and we got some Illinois fans voting since I got some family up there, too. Maybe that will take a little bit away from the Chicago market, I don’t know."

Konerko held the lead after the first 24 hours of voting.

Zobrist said his plans for the four-day All-Star break including relaxing at his Nashville, Tenn., home.

 Boston Herald

 Tuesday, July 5, 2011