Could Derek Jeter pass Pete Rose?

Been thinking about this one lately, since hearing a quesstion about whether Derek Jeter was overrated on my PTI Podcast.

His career stats, as of now, stand at 172 HR, 786 RBI, 217 SB, and most importantly, a .314 average from 1976 career hits.

Within the next couple weeks, he will pass 2000 hits, while still only 31 years old.

Does he have a chance to do it, which would mean he's not really "overrated"?

Well, for the last ten seasons, he has averaged 196 hits per year. Take out 2003, where he missed 40 games, and he averages 201 hits a year (Even in 2003, pro-rated to a full season, would have meant 210 hits).

Say he continues getting 200-210 hits this year and the next five years - in this lineup, a strong possibility.

Say he starts to decline a little beyond that - 180-190 hits for the next five years.

He's now 42. He now stands at:

1976 (currently)
160 (the rest of this year)
1025 (205 * ages 32-36)
925 (185 * ages 37-41)

He would stand jsut past 4000 hits - or a little more than two seasons away from Pete Rose, who played until he was 45 and had 4256 hits. Given his other numbers, he may be close to or over 300 HR, 300 SB, and 1500 RBI as well.

So, there's a good chance that if he continues to stay healthy, he could be the new all-time Hit King. I don't really like to say it about this Yankee who seems to have everything handed to him on a silver platter, but the numbers, so far, do speak for themselves.

Just avoid the ponies and the bookies.

One horrible thought - what if he and A-Rod are still teammates in 10 years, Jeter's going for the hits record, and A-Rod is gunning for Hank Aaron's HR record?

I shudder at the thought of that publicity machine.