"The Captain"

[glchen]

I think it's possible but slim. My guess is that he would reasonably try to play until he's 42, so 4 more years. If he's close to 4000 by then, I think he might play another year to try to get it. Then if after that year, he's near 4100, the record is just strikingly close. He may be tempted. However, if his skills diminish considerably, and he's not close to 4K by 42 (close as within 100 hits), I think he'll just retire.

[murcerfan]

No chance. His hitting skills are on the decline and diminished as mentioned in all the replies above.
I mean, he is only leading all other major league hitters by 10 hits this year and in is on pace to have a paltry total of 216 hits at seasons end.

Stick a fork in him, he's done!

[barrysloate]

Yet here's something interesting: when Jeter got his 182nd hit the other day, he became the first 38 year old shortstop to reach that hit total. It would be a nice accomplishment if it occurred on the last day of the season....but he did it with 26 games remaining! So although it's a bit of an obscure achievement, he left all other competition far behind.

[murcerfan]

...make that on pace for 222 hits.

[barrysloate]

Originally Posted by murcerfan

...make that on pace for 222 hits.

A preposterous number for a 38 year old.

[Robextend]

....

[barrysloate]

Jeter's 3283rd hit ties him with Willie Mays...now that's a pretty big name, and he's still going gangbusters.

[Jay Wolt]

I don't think hitting will be the problem as David alluded to, he's on pace for 222 hits this season.
The problem may be fielding, would the Yankees want him to stay at SS while in his 40's
and if not, where do they put him.
As Barry pointed out, his last hit last night tied him w/ Willie Mays for 10th all time.
And he already has more post season hits then anyone.
So its fun to see where he'll end up

[D. Bergin]

I think if the Yanks planned differently they would have moved Jeter to 3rd base a couple years ago, extending his on-field career to a position in which his reflexes would help him but he wouldn't need the same range as a shortstop.

Eduardo Nunez would be the shortstop in training and A-Rod would have been let go during his last contract negotiation.

Unfortunately..........a quickly breaking down A-Rod was signed to a ridiculous contract extension, and Nunez, who has shown he can hit and run, makes Alfonso Soriano look like Ozzie Smith in the Infield.

Jeter and his reliability on the balls he can get to (he's the Cal Ripken of this era. Not great range but he'll make the play if he can get his hands on the ball) is still the best option for the Yankees at short unless they can pick up somebody in Free Agency who is better. There's nobody presently on the team or coming up in the farm system who would even remotely be an upgrade of Jeter at SS, at this time.

[murcerfan]

post 2013 maybe platoon at first base and DH and a few odd days back at SS. No guarantee he'd be money at 3rd like A-rod proved to be.
Remember he still has 5 rings to go to match Yogi.

Go aging wonders!