"Would Derek Jeter appreciate the Angels' saluting his 3,000 career hits in front of the Anaheim fans?

"If they cheered," Jeter said Wednesday, with a smile.

The New York Yankees visit Angel Stadium next month, their first trip since Jeter got his milestone hit. Angels Vice President Tim Mead told The Times last week that the team wants "to honor the man, the player and the person in some form."

Mead said the Angels subsequently received about 100 calls and emails from fans concerned that the team would go out of its way to fete an opposing player, perhaps with a pregame ceremony.

"I think it had as much to do with it being the Yankees as much as anything," Mead said.

He said the Angels might acknowledge Jeter but had no plans for any kind of ceremony. Jeter said he had not heard about what the Angels might do before a reporter asked him about it Wednesday and had no convictions one way or the other. He is the first player in Yankees history and 28th overall with 3,000 hits.

"I think baseball fans appreciate things like that," Jeter said. "But in terms of being honored by another team, I haven't thought about it.""