February 12 will now be marked as one of the saddest days of my life. Derek Jeter announced this afternoon that the 2014 season will be his last year in pinstripes. The Yankees franchise has possessed such a rich history of talented players and championship seasons, and in my eyes, Derek Jeter is the greatest Yankee of all-time. I am fortunate to have seen Jeter play in person, and a little piece of me will die once he steps on the field for the very last time. I grew up watching baseball when he began his career, and I have never seen a more humble and blessed man who has ever played the game. Jeter is a textbook example of a role model and hero to the New York community and to children who strive to be athletes or simply better citizens. Derek Jeter was raised the right way and never took anything for granted, and I have always admired his work ethic and attitude on and off the diamond. The man is simply a class act. 



I have watched the majority of Jeter's at bats over his nineteen year career, and to be honest, words can't really express how much his career has meant to the staff, players and fans. The clutch factor in Jeter's bat and glove never disappoint, and it's important to recognize why he is one of the greatest baseball players that ever lived. 


Career Awards and Highlights:
5-time World Series champion
2000 World Series MVP
13-time MLB All-Star
5-time Silver Slugger
5-time Gold Glove winner
1996 AL Rookie of the Year
3,000 hit club member

Here are some of my favorite moments of the Yankees captain. 

1996 ALDS: Game 1 vs Baltimore Orioles
The 1996 campaign marked Jeter's first full season in pinstripes. After being eliminated in the divisional round the year before, the Yankees were back in the playoffs to face a strong Baltimore Orioles club. Jeter hit the first home run of his career in Cleveland that April, and on October 9, he hit one of the most controversial home runs in baseball history (with a little help from Jeffery Maier). The Yankees went on to face the Atalnta Braves in the World Series and won their first championship since 1978. The legacy officially began. 

 2001 World Series: Game 4 vs Arizona Diamondbacks

Down 2-1 in the Fall Classic, the Yankees went into the bottom of the tenth tied 3-3. With a full count and two outs, Jeter took a Byung-Hyun Kim fastball to the right field porch. The ball quickly traveled over the wall and sealed the walk-off victory for the Yankees. From that day forward, Jeter was given the nickname "Mr. November" for his clutch performances in the postseason. 








Mr. 3,000: July 9, 2011 vs Tampa Bay Rays
Before the 2011 season began, an enormous amount of pressure was placed upon Jeter to accomplish his 3,000th hit at home. Through the first couple of months, Jeter was on fire, and the world suddenly recognized that Jeter's milestone would be reached in July. On July 9, only two hits away, Jeter's first at bat resulted in a base hit. He came up in the bottom of the third to face Rays ace David Price, and the at bat only lasted one pitch. A home run. As the ball landed into the left field seats, the crowd cheered in hysteria. As Jeter ran around the bases, Tampa players tipped their caps to the future Hall of Fame shortstop, and Jeter was met at home plate with his teammates waiting to congratulate him. The standing ovation lasted a little over ten minutes, and the curtain call Jeter gave was a salute to his family and fans. 

Derek, it's going to be very difficult seeing you leave the game. Your dream was to play shortstop for the New York Yankees, and you proved through hard work and self confidence that anything is possible. We will miss you terribly. Thank you for a wonderful nineteen years in pinstripes. Hopefully you will leave the game with one more championship ring on your finger.