This Day in Yankees History: Derek Jeter reaches another milestone

The start of the 2020 season is finally underway! The Pinstripe Alley team is going to continue to keep these daily posts that highlight a few key moments in Yankees history on a given date, as well as recognize players born on the day. Let’s take a trip down memory lane.

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This Day in Yankees History (August 16)

59 Years Ago

On this day in 1961, Yankee fans watched a sight that had become familiar during that season: Roger Maris went deep. He actually hit two home runs in the game, giving him 48 for the season on his way to breaking Babe Ruth’s single-season home run record. It was also the sixth straight game that Maris left the yard, which tied an American League record.

11 Years Ago

The Yankees suffered a forgettable 10-3 loss to the Mariners on this day in 2009, but Derek Jeter made sure it was one for him to remember, going 3-for-4 at the plate to finish the night with 2,795 career hits. His first two hits of the night tied and passed Luis Aparicio for the most hits ever compiled by a shortstop, and later that year, he would pass Lou Gehrig for the most hits in Yankees history. Of course, most importantly to Jeter, the season ended with his fifth and final World Series ring.

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Gene Woodling was born on this day in 1922, and played for the Yankees from 1949 to 1954. In that time, the outfielder won multiple World Series titles and posted an OPS+ of 124. He hit a clutch home run to help win game seven of the 1952 World Series, and was nicknamed “Old Faithful” by the great Mel Allen due to his ability to come through in high-leverage spots.

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We thank Baseball-Reference and Nationalpastime.com for providing background information for these posts.