Sabrina B.

George Brett admitted that he gets “kind of bummed out” whenever another player passes him in the record books.

But when Derek Jeter moved by Brett on the all-time hits list today, the Hall of Famer issued a statement to congratulate the Yankees captain.

“He’s been the backbone of his organization for a long, long time,” Brett said.

“And when a guy like that passes you, I’d like to shake his hand and look him in the eye and say congratulations.”

With a single in the first inning against the A’s today, Jeter collected career-hit No. 3,155, passing Brett for 14th place on the all-time hits list.
Jeter needs just 29 hits to catch Orioles great Cal Ripken Jr., who ranks 13th with 3,184.

“It goes without saying how good of a player he is,” Jeter said. “I’ve always had a lot of respect for George Brett and what he was able to accomplish.”

Nevertheless, Jeter said he hasn’t focused much on his climb up the all-time hits list, even with Ripken within reach.

“With him being a shortstop and someone who I really looked up to, yeah, that would be special,” said Jeter, who finished 1-for-5. “You tie Cal or pass Cal at anything, or you’re close to Cal in anything, it’s pretty remarkable. But I’m really not thinking about it.”

• Phil Hughes isn’t quite pulling down the big bucks that fellow pitcher CC Sabathia has earned through free agency.

So, the Orange County, Calif., native won’t have as many friends and family members in attendance Monday when he starts against the Angels in Anaheim, about 10 minutes from his boyhood home.

Nevertheless, the Yankees right-hander expects a group of 20 to turn out for his rare homecoming.

Hughes’ only other start at Angel Stadium came as a rookie back in 2007, when he got roughed up against the Angels. Hughes also pitched at Angel Stadium during the 2010 All-Star Game as a reliever.

“It’s exciting, getting the family to come out,” Hughes said.

“It’s not very often that it happens. It’s just a normal start but it’s exciting.”

Hughes often attended games at Angel Stadium, particularly when his favorite team came to town.

The Yankees right-hander grew up rooting for the Red Sox.

• The Yankees must wait to see if starting catcher Russell Martin will start Monday night’s game against the Angels.

A stiff neck kept Martin out of today’s 2-0 victory over the A’s, leaving backup Chris Stewart to catch Hiroki Kuroda for the first time this year.

Manager Joe Girardi said Martin would have been available today only in an emergency situation.

Nevertheless, Martin said he expects to be ready to catch against the Angels.

“Right now, it feels better, more range of motion already,” said Martin, who aggravated his stiff neck while lifting weights. “It was jammed pretty good but now it’s better.”

WRITTEN BY Marc Carig: [email protected]; twitter.com/MarcCarig & FULL STORY HERE