Derekjeter
Derek Jeter
Derek Jeter was born in Pequannok, New Jersey in June of 1974. His family moved to Michigan where he played both basketball and baseball for his high school in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He was chosen by the New York Yankees in the 1996 draft pick. Jeter was the sixth pick overall in the first round.
Jeter soon established himself as a one of the most qualified players in the league. He received the Rookie of the Year award in his first season with the Yankees, and continued to develop his game year by year. He consistently delivered at the plate and performed outstanding fielding as a shortstop. Jeter was the first rookie in 34 years to play the shortstop position during his first season. He has since become one of modern baseballs most recognizable stars.
Jeter helped propel the Yankees toward a World Series win against the Atlanta Braves in 1995. The following year, he had five hits and five runs scored during the 1996 World Series. Though the team did not make it to the World Series in 1997, Jeter batted .291 with 70 RBIs and 10 home runs. Jeter had achieved celebrity status by the 1998 season, which he ended with a .324 batting average, 19 home runs, 84 RBIs and 203 hits. He was the leagues high scorer with a total of 127 runs.
In 1999, Jeter and his agent were unable to come to any agreement with the Yankees on his new contract so they entered into arbitration with George Steinbrenner, the owner of the Yankees. The goal was to come up with an agreeable figure to be paid for his new contract. Jeter came out of arbitration a winner with one-year $5 million contract. This made Jeter the highest paid player in baseball history with just a few years of service.
Jeter kept his drive and focus, and that paid off for him again in 1999. He ended that season breaking most of his personal records. His impressive statistics included 24 home runs, 134 runs scored, 9 triples, 102 RBIs and an incredible .349 batting average. He received the All-Star award for a second time that season.
The New York Yankees and New York Mets faced off in World Series play in 2000. Jeter jump-started game four of the series with a home run hit on the games first pitch. In his second at-bat, Jeter hit a triple and subsequently scored, garnering a three-run lead for the Yankees. The Yankees went on to win the series in game five.
Even though Jeter has achieved superstar status, he spends time giving back to his community. With his father, Jeter founded the Turn 2 Foundation. The foundation supports high-risk kids and provides alternatives to drug abuse. It encourages academic success and healthy lifestyle choices. Turn 2 has branches in Jeters hometown of Kalamazoo, and in New York City, where he now lives.
Jeter has the distinction of being the first player in history to receive both the World Series MVP and All-Star Game MVP awards in a single season. He won both awards in 2000. He has been an American League All-Star seven times.
