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With a right elbow tucked closely to his body and a quick flick of his wrists, Derek Jeter last night pushed a ball into right field--his trademark--and broke a baseball record that had stood for 72 years. With that hit Jeter has become the all-time hit leader of the New York Yankees--no mean feat on a 106-year old team that's known a hitter or two over that time period.

Perhaps more importantly to most baseball fans, along the way Jeter has set records for style, class and grace. This at a time when some teammates, let's face it, we're exhibiting behavior more at home with the Oakland Raiders than the most storied franchise in sports history.

Jeter's hit broke a record that had been held since 1939 by the gifted Lou Gehrig, who had the misfortune for many years to play second violin in a baseball orchestra conducted by Babe Ruth. In many ways Jeter and Gehrig are alike:

• Each was named captain of the Yankees--more than an honorific when you consider the team
• Both came from solid families that typified their eras: Gehrig from German immigrant parents who had come to New York to seek a better life; Jeter from a dual-income family of professionals in the American Midwest.
• Like Gehrig, Jeter is a quiet man in public, giving reporters no wisp of scandal or bulletin board fodder to feed to opposing teams. Over the years this firm quietude hurt both men. 
• Each displayed a blend of professionalism and determination on the field that is rare in sports. 

One big difference: To their credit the Yankees from the start were determined to avoid the mistake the team made with Gehrig, who toiled through his prime in the very large shadow of Babe Ruth. Just a few years after Ruth was cut loose to chase his dream of becoming a big league manager, Gehrig was tragically cut down by ALS. There was no doubt from 1996, when the Yankees gave the second most important field position on a baseball team to the 20-year old rookie from Kalamazoo to the present time, that this would be "Jeter's team."

Players who failed to grasp that concept found themselves ex-Yankees. When the Yankees gilded the lily and acquired Alex Rodriguez, arguably the best shortstop of his generation, Rodriguez signed on knowing that it was no deal unless he agreed to move to third base. Like a sandlot pickup game, shortstop was taken.

The Yankees are loved or hated by baseball fans because of their overarching sense of tradition, in a sport that has turned tradition into a $6 billion business. Fans see their team's sense of history as destiny. Opponents and their fans see it as smugness or worse. For good or bad there is always a sense of what it is to be a "Yankee." They are the only team with an Alumni Association. 

The Yankees' 1992 scouting report on the 18-year old high school player from Kalamazoo was short and to the point: He's a five-tool player. He's a Yankee.

Lou Gehrig has be shorn of two durable records: his record for consecutive games played by Cal Ripken, and his team leadership in hits by Jeter. It is ironic because while Jeter has a lot in common with Gehrig, he also has a lot in common with his contemporary Ripken:

• Both have been respected in opposing clubhouses as much as they've been in their own.
• Both share the same passion for excellence in baseball
• Both serve as role models to young baseball players and kids
• Both had an unparalleled flair for the dramatic
• Both exhibited the same class and professionalism on and off the field
• Both played for owners who were at times boorish and insensitive to the two team leaders

Ripken and Jeter, along with Rodriguez and Nomar Garciaparra, redefined the role of a shortstop on a team. Prior to their appearance in the major leagues, shortstop was typically manned by players nicknamed Pee Wee, Scooter or Rabbit--short, quick magicians known more for their gloves than their bats. Ripken and Jeter showed that six-foot tall three-sport athletes could get down on a ground ball as well as anyone, and could drive an offense as well. 

Baseball fans cherish the memory of Cal Ripken hitting a home run in his last All Star Game--like Gary Cooper riding off into the sunset. Over a long career, Jeter has exhibited a similar flair for the dramatic:

• Running across the diamond to intercept an errant throw against Oakland in 2001 and flipping it in one motion like a basket ball player to his catcher Jorge Posada, preserving a desperately needed playoff win
• An extra inning walk-off home run against Arizona in 2001 to preserve the World Series hopes for New Yorkers still reeling from 9-11
• Recklessly diving into the stands for a foul pop up against Boston in 2004 while the two teams were locked yet again in another steel cage death match pennant race 

Despite these accomplishments, Jeter prefers to be better known as a philanthropist. His Turn 2 Foundation is dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles among youngsters. In New York, in Tampa and in Michigan, it has awarded over $10 million in grants for initiatives that promote its goals. 

Derek Jeter is a surefire Hall of Famer. But perhaps his greatest legacy may be his foundation work. 

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An epilogue: In passing Lou Gehrig last night, Jeter was very modest and respectful of Lou Gehrig--almost overwhelmed by the event. But despite being dispossessed of two of the more enduring records in the game, Gehrig still owns a record that I think will outlive the game itself. 

In 1938 Lou Gehrig was battling the full blown symptoms of ALS, the disease that would soon take his life. Yet despite the illness, the Iron Horse managed to play in 157 games. He amassed 170 hits--better than a hit a game. He did strike out 75 times, the second highest number of Ks in one season in his career. But he poled 29 home runs and drove in 114 runs. Incredibly, a man who could not dress himself without assistance from his teammates and had trouble walking, stole 6 bases! He ended the season hitting .295--his second lowest batting average of his career, but remarkable for a man who would be dead in a couple of years. .295, 29 homers and 170 RBIs gets players MVP consideration today. 

No wonder they called him the Iron Horse!

Just thought you might like to know.