The Yankee Captain

Today, Derek Jeter announced that the 2014 season will be his last. For any Yankee fan, this is a sad day hearing that the face of the franchise and captain will soon be gone, but it is also a time to reflect. Derek Jeter was part of the cornerstone that brought five world championship to the Bronx.

First, there is so much that Derek did off the field. He was announced as Captain in 2003, but many of his teammates and colleagues would tell you that he was captain far before that.  He was never the most talented, but his work ethic and leadership on and off the field brought a winning attitude to New York, so the captain decision was inevitable.

Derek Jeter also was a valuable asset on the field for fourteen years as part of the Yankees. Here are some of his top moments:


2001 ALDS Game 3: "The Flip"
Down two games to none, The Yankees traveled to Oakland needing a win. The Yankees led early 1-0 when Terrence Long lined a ball into the right field corner. Shane Spencer got the ball and launched it towards home plate, but was offline and missed both cut off men. Jeremy Giambi raced home and it looked as if he would cross the plate standing up. Then, Derek Jeter flashed across the diamond from his normal position, grabbed the ball, and shoveled the ball to Jorge Posada, who tagged out Giambi. This ridiculous play saved the run and preserved the lead. The Yankees won the game and the series but it would have never happened if Jeter had not saved the run. Many people still are shocked how Jeter was in the perfect position to save the run and the season.

July 9th 2011: His 3000th hit

In 2011 Jeter did not have a great year compared to his past years. Midway though the year, Jeter suffered a calf injury that lengthened the wait of his 3000th hit. People questioned if his best days were behind him, but Jeter came back off the DL looking better than ever and was poised to get hit number 3000. On July 9th, The Yankees were at home vs The Rays. Jeter was sitting on 2998 hits when he led off the first inning. He hit a hard ground ball through the hole for number 2999 and the crowd became excited. Later in the game down 1-0 Derek Jeter stepped up to the plate again against Rays ace David Price. He worked the count full and on the 3-2 pitch Jeter launched a ball over the fence for his 3000th hit. Jeter became the second player to hit a home run for his 3000th hit (Wade Boggs), and the first Yankee ever to achieve the 3000 hit clip. This was more than just a stat for many Yankee fans. Derek Jeter's 3000th hit represented the culmination of 15 years of hard work, bringing five titles and reviving baseball in The Bronx. For him to do it at home and finishing the day 5-5 with the game winning RBI showed that Jeter's desire for the team to win outweighed an individual achievement, which is what matters most.

October 31st 2001: World Series Walkoff: 

When the World Series began, many New Yorkers were still recovering from the tragedy that was September 11th, 2001. The Yankees 2001 postseason run was able to ease some of the pain that many were feeling, so when they reached the World Series, the city could not be happier. The Yankees fell behind early in the series to The Arizona Diamondbacks, who had two great pitchers; Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling.The Yankees trailed in the series 2-1 and faced Curt Schilling and a potentially 3-1 World Series deficit. The Yankees trailed most of the game until with 2 outs in the bottom of the ninth when Tino Martinez hit a two run homer to tie the game at three. Yankee Stadium was the loudest it had ever been and they knew their World Series chances were alive and well. Derek Jeter stepped up to the plate in extra innings as the clock struck midnight. For the first time ever Major League Baseball was being played in November. Jeter continued his at bat and lined a pitch down the right field line. The ball just barely got over the fence and secured a Yankees 4-3 victory. The crowd went wild as the newly dubbed "Mr. November" rounded the bases. not only had he won the game, he had restored faith in the city that no matter how hard times got, New York would keep fighting, which was even more important than the game itself.


As you can see, Derek Jeter is more than a shortstop. He is more than a 13-time all star, 5 time gold glove winner and 5 time world champion. He is a leader on and off the field and a great ambassador for the game of baseball. Though he will be greatly missed after this year, it is important that we remember all the great things he has done.