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DiscussNEW YORK (AP) — Derek Jeter broke Lou Gehrig's record for hits at Yankee Stadium, singling in the first inning against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night.
The hit off Gavin Floyd was Jeter's 1,270th in the 85-year-old ballpark, scheduled to close Sunday. It came in Jeter's 8,002nd major league at-bat, passing Gehrig for second on the Yankees' career list behind Mickey Mantle (8,102).
White Sox third baseman Juan Uribe, playing on the edge of the infield grass, tried to backhand the sharp grounder, which went under his glove.
There were camera flashes with every pitch thrown to Jeter in recent days. Jeter acknowledged the long ovation by taking off his helmet and raising it to the sellout crowd.
Gehrig played with New York from 1923 — Yankee Stadium's opening season — until 1939, when he retired due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. He died of ALS two years later.
"I find Lou Gehrig to be an amazing person, someone that you look up to as a role model," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "I think helping people is important to Derek, too. ... He's chasing a guy with outstanding character and is a guy with outstanding character."
New York moves next year to a new $1.3 billion Yankee Stadium, being built across the street.