During Game 4 of the 2001 World Series, a fan held up a “Mr. November” sign after New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter sent a Byung-Hyun Kim offering over the rightfield wall.
Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay started calling Jeter by the moniker…and the nickname stuck.
But following that home run, Jeter went 2 for 11 (good for a .182 batting average) that November AND walked away ringless.
Mr. November? Really?!?
Sure, the nickname is cute and all…but c’mon, aren’t we giving the dude a little too much credit? Shouldn’t the two-headed monster of Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson share the title Mr. November? Afterall, it was their performances in Games 6 and 7 that shut down the Bronx Bombers.
Now…flash forward to Tuesday night and New York’s 10-3 loss to the Texas Rangers.
During the game, Jeter set or tied a handful of postseason records.
In the third inning, he scored his 32nd career LCS run…topping former teammate Bernie Williams’ former mark. Two innings later, Jeter would best Williams again when he collected his 30th postseason double of his career. The two-bagger, Jeter’s tenth in LCS play, put the shortstop in a tie with Williams and Hideki Matsui. Monday night, he surpassed Williams’ career mark with his 52nd extra base hit.
Also on Monday, the Yankees captain passed Manny Ramirez when he played in his 50th career LCS game. With three more hits…he’ll surpass “ManRam” as the all-time hit leader in LCS play. For his career, Jeter is 56 for 213 (a .263 batting average) in the second round of the playoffs.
Add that to his 78 hits in the Divisional Championship Series and 50 in World Series play and you’re looking at a guy who has put together a full season’s worth of activity in just the month of October alone.
So, perhaps, maybe a better nickname might be in order. Is Reggie Jackson still using his?
What do you think…should Derek Jeter be regarded at the new “Mr. October” or should Reggie Jackson retain the title? Vote!
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