Former baseball great Pete Rose says his hits record is safe. (REUTERS)
Pete Rose is confident Derek Jeter won't be able to challenge his career hits record.
Rose retired at age 45 in 1986 with 4,256 hits and Jeter, 38, trails him by 952.
Now, the New York Yankees shortstop is coming off an excellent regular season, compiling 216 hits, but can he keep it up?
Rose doubts it.
"(Jeter) had a great year this year, but you think he can do that again?" Rose told the website SportsonEarth. "At 39? A shortstop? Let's say he does it again. Let's say he gets 200 more hits next year. And let's say he gets 200 more hits when he's 40, though I don't think he can. OK, can he get 200 more hits when he's 41? You think he can?
"Let me tell you, I've been there, the body locks up. Jeter's a great hitter ... but he's going to get 200 hits when he's 42? I don't think he will. And even if he does all that, he's still 150 hits short."
