The Beginning of the End for Derek Jeter as a Major League Player

Photo Credit: MLB.com

By Francisco Romero

The 2014 Major League Baseball season will be New York Yankee’s shortstop Derek Jeter’s last as an active player.  He will leave a storied career with a huge void to fill. 

Since 1903 the Yankees have had 14 captains, Jeter being the current one, holding such honor since 2003.

Born on June 26, 1974 by the name of Derek Sanderson Jeter, the Captain has played 19 seasons in the majors with only one team, the Yankees. New York drafted Jeter during the 1992 Major League Baseball Draft and debuted in the Major Leagues in 1995.

A future Hall of Famer and a five-time World Series champion, amongst Jeter’s accomplishments in baseball are the following:

• Yankees’ all time career leader in hits (3,316)
• Yankees’ all time career leader in games played (2,602)
• Yankees’ all time career leader in stolen bases (348)
• Yankees’ all time career leader in at bats (10.614)
• (13) All Star Selections
• (5) Gold Glove Awards
• (5) Silver Slugger Awards
• (2) Hank Aaron Awards
• Roberto Clemente Award
• All Time MLB leader in hits by a shortstop
• 28^th player to reach 3,000 hits

Jeter has been one of the most consistent, loved and fiercest competitors of the game.

“I’ve just tried to not look forward to everything being over,” Jeter was quoted recently by mlb.com. “I’m just trying to enjoy my time and not looking forward to it being over. That’s the best way to put it.”

The Yankees will open up the season on the road against the Houston Astros.  As it will be done in every stadium this season, the Astros will honor Jeter prior to the second game of the season.

As for what Jeter’s life will be after being a professional baseball player? My guess is he will not be away from baseball for a long time.