“Often, Jeter ranks among the top three in the AL in batting, runs and/or hits.  In 2000, People ranked him among the top three most eligible bachelors in America.  ”Derek’s the Man,” said Alex Rodriguez.  ”He owns the city.”  The superstar shortstop scorched the ball in June (.371), then cracked three hits and earned MVP honors at the 2000 All-Star Game.”

Jeter only needs 60 more hits to make 3,000 career hits.  He should have no problem making that number this season, although his current .219 batting average isn’t helping the matter.

2001 Topps Series 1:

1. #394 Todd Helton/Nomar Garciaparra (League Leaders)
2. #381 Reggie Jackson (Golden Moments)
3. Golden Anniversary #GA21 Derek Jeter
4. #344 Felipe Alou (Manager)
5. #96 John Wetteland
6. #15 Jim Thome
7. #306 Russ Davis
8. #72 Andres Galarraga
9. #185 Roy Halladay
10. #38 Marquis Grissom

David Krynzel was picked in the 1st round of the 2000 MLB draft by the Brewers.  He has not had much luck hitting at levels higher than single-A.

Grady Sizemore was picked in the 3rd round of the 2000 MLB draft by the Expos.  He was acquired from the Expos by the Cleveland Indians in 2002 and has been a fan favorite with the Indians since his debut in 2004.

2001 Topps Series 2:

1. #587 Mark Sweeney
2. #480 Pablo Ozuna
3. #494 Desi Relaford
4. #641 Jeremy Giambi
5. #436 Timo Perez
6. #690 Ramon Martinez
7. #779 Tampa Bay Devil Rays (Team Card)
8. #750 David Krynzel/Grady Sizemore (Draft Picks) (Rookie)
9. #738 Anthony Pluta/Justin Wayne (Draft Picks) (Rookie)
10. #755 Baltimore Orioles (Team Card)

“At 4, Will’s first mitt was brought home by his dog Flash.”

2001 Topps Series 1:

1. #404 Mike Hampton (Postseason Highlights)
2. #347 Terry Francona (Manager)
3. #118 Dennys Reyes
4. #229 Jose Jimenez
5. #10 Jermaine Dye
6. #113 Orlando Cabrera
7. #44 Preston Wilson
8. #104 Will Clark
9. #299 Chris Holt
10. #288 Armando Reynoso

“The drama had been building the entire summer of 1998, but McGwire waited until the spotlight was at its brightest before taking the stage.  He hit his 61st home run on Labor Day, but now was in the final day of a homestand during which St. Louis fans clamored to see No. 62.  His son had flown in from California a day earlier, his rival Sammy Sosa was on the field for the Cubs and the children of Roger Maris were in the stands.  Pressure?  Mac drilled No. 62 that day for a new single-season record.”

2001 Topps Series 1:

1. #359 Mike Stodolka/Sean Burnett (Draft Picks) (Rookie Card)
2. #377 Mark McGwire (Golden Moments)
3. #331 Phil Garner (Manager)
4. #11 Chris Singleton
5. #205 Edgardo Alfonzo
6. #167 David Bell
7. #312 Sandy Alomar
8. #129 Kevin Tapani
9. #315 Geoff Jenkins
10. #317 Damian Miller

Here are a couple shattered dreams.  Neither Chris Russ nor Bryan Edwards ever made it past double-A minor league ball.  Both retired from professional baseball by 2007.

2001 Topps Series 2:

1. #791 Carlton Fisk (Golden Moments)
2. #472 Adam Eaton
3. #444 Kelvim Escobar
4. #647 Al Martin
5. #563 Nelson Figueroa
6. #637 Todd Walker
7. #757 Chicago Cubs (Team Card)
8. #727 Roy Oswalt/Pat Strange/Jon Rauch (Prospects)
9. #744 Chris Russ/Bryan Edwards (Draft Picks) (Rookie Card)
10. #776 San Francisco Giants (Team Card)

“The Braves already debuted one phenomenal young shortstop out of the Dominican Republic in Rafael Furcal.  Now they have another.  Like Furcal, Betemit stings the ball from both sides of the plate and dazzles on D, especially with his arm.  ”He killed us defensively,” said one opposing minor league manager.  ”He’s got as much of an arm as an individual needs.”  In 2000 for Jamestown (A), Wilson rapped .331, the highest mark in the Braves’ system.  Considered Atlanta’s No. 1 prospect, he began the ’01 season with Myrtle Beach (A), where he continued to wreak havoc with his bat and glove.”

The Braves later converted Betemit into a 3rd baseman.  When he was traded to the Yankees in 2007, he was moved to 1st base.  He currently plays for the Kansas City Royals predominantly as a 3rd baseman.

2001 Topps Traded & Rookies:

1. #T17 Mark Grace
2. #T55 Greg Norton
3. #T28 Reggie Sanders
4. #T16 Tom Gordon
5. #T261 Irvin Guzman (Rookie Card)
6. #T263 J.D. Martin (Rookie Card)
7. #T257 Jake Gautreau (Rookie Card)
8. #T143 Sean Burroughs (Reprint)
9. Chrome Traded #T213 Wilson Betemit (Rookie Card)
10. Chrome Traded #T226 Adrian Hernandez (Rookie Card)

“Jumped to Majors off University of Minnesota campus in 1973.”

“Had 13-1 record as a pitcher at Minnesota.”

Dave Winfield went on to play 22 seasons in the Major Leagues before being elected to the Hall of Fame in 2001.  He has an official website — www.davewinfieldhof.com.

2001 Topps Traded & Rookies:

1. #T39 Jeff Nelson
2. #T46 Mike Jackson
3. #T49 Eddie Taubensee
4. #T237 Valentino Pascucci (Rookie Card)
5. #T236 Toe Nash (Rookie Card)
6. Gold #T103 Dave Winfield (Reprint) (Serial#0667/2001)
7. #T117 Will Clark (Reprint)
8. #44T Ben Grieve (Draft Pick) (Rookie)
9. Chrome Traded #T209 Ken Harvey
10. Chrome Traded #T125 Dennis Eckersley

Marquis Grissom was one of a breed of players to have their careers ruined by the steroid-induced surge in home run hitting of the late 90′s and early 2000′s.  You see, what’s the point in taking the risk of stealing a base when the next guy up to bat will probably hit it out of the park?  Grissom stole 429 bases in his 17-season career… but almost half of them came in just 3 seasons 1991-1993 in which he led the league in stolen bases twice.  I would have been more impressed if this relic was a piece of his shoes rather than his bat.  Wouldn’t that be cool?

2001 Topps Traded & Rookies:

1. #T51 Nelson Cruz
2. #T52 Jeff Fassero
3. #T230 Octavio Martinez (Rookie Card)
4. #T222 Matt Ford (Rookie Card)
5. Chrome Traded Refractors #T239 Antonio Perez (Rookie Card)
6. Relics #TTR-MG Marquis Grissom (Bat Relic)
7. #T131 David Wells (Reprint)
8. Chrome Traded #T240 Chad Petty (Rookie Card)
9. Chrome Traded #T216 John Buck (Rookie Card)