It’s been almost three years since Derek Jeter retired from the MLB, but this Sunday he finally gets his number retired. With all the time that has past, people may have forgotten how influential Jeter was to the game.
From the moment Derek Jeter debuted for the New York Yankees to his retirement, one aspect remained the same: his work ethic. “The Captain” made it clear that throughout his years that no player would outwork him. The proof for that is in his Hall of Fame statistics and achievements.
His awards included being selected for 14 All-Star games, five Gold Glove Awards, five Silver Slugger Awards, and of course five World Series championships. His records for the Bronx Bombers might be the most impressive part of his resume. He finished as the Yankees’ all-time career leaders in hits, doubles, and games played.
When talking about the 27 time World Champions, names such as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle are always brought up. Lost in the shuffle is the man who brought the Yankees back to their glory days, Derek Jeter.
How Jeter returned the Yankees to Winning
The Yankees championship run through the decades reached a rough patch from 1979 to 1995.Coincidence or not, 1995 was the year Derek Jeter debuted for the Yankees. Once he came into his own, the team went onto dominate the late ’90s.
Winning titles in 1996, 1998 and 1999, Derek became one of the centerpieces for their dynasty. As good as he was in the regular season, his performances in the postseason were even better.
Not only did he take over the big stage, but he earned the nickname Mr. November. His .321 batting average in World Series games speaks for itself.
The incredible thing about Jeter’s career is the way he sustained excellence for so long.
Throughout his 20 years, the Yankees only missed the playoffs three times. Most athletes experience losing more than others, but for Derek Jeter it wasn’t in his path. He is the only player in MLB history to play 20 years or more, without experiencing a single losing season.
Being a Professional
As great as Derek was on the field, his greatest quality might have been the way he presented himself off the field. In this age athletes often get into personal troubles, yet Jeter was able to avoid controversy in New York. He showed that being a professional isn’t just about playing, but being able to avoid the distractions.
After being the face of the Yankees for over a decade, Jeter will finally get his moment on Sunday night. Ironically enough, the “Baby Bombers” that will be on the field after his ceremony are showing flashes of being that next star Yankee. Regardless of who it will be here is to hoping they do it the right way, just like Derek Jeter did.
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