Derek Jeter facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Derek Jeter
Jeter in 2024
Shortstop
Born: (1974-06-26) June 26, 1974 (age 51) Pequannock Township, New Jersey, U.S.
Batted: Right Threw: Right
debut
May 29, 1995, for the New York Yankees
Last appearance
September 28, 2014, for the New York Yankees
MLB statistics
Batting average	.310
Hits	3,465
Home runs	260
Runs batted in	1,311
Teams
New York Yankees (1995–2014)
Career highlights and awards
14× All-Star (1998–2002, 2004, 2006–2012, 2014) 5× World Series champion (1996, 1998–2000, 2009) World Series MVP (2000) AL Rookie of the Year (1996) 5× Gold Glove Award (2004–2006, 2009, 2010) 5× Silver Slugger Award (2006–2009, 2012) 2× AL Hank Aaron Award (2006, 2009) Roberto Clemente Award (2009) New York Yankees No. 2 retired Monument Park honoree
Baseball Hall of Fame
Induction	2020
Vote	99.7% (first ballot)

Derek Sanderson Jeter (born June 26, 1974) is an American former professional baseball player. He was a shortstop and played his entire 20-year career for the New York Yankees. People often called him "the Captain" because of his great leadership.

Jeter was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2020. He received almost all possible votes, showing how respected he was. He also worked as a business executive and part-owner for the Miami Marlins baseball team for a few years.

Derek Jeter helped the Yankees win five World Series championships. He was a key player in their success in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He was known for his hitting, running, fielding, and leadership skills. Jeter holds many Yankees records, including the most career hits (3,465).

His awards include 14 All-Star selections and five Gold Glove Awards. He also won five Silver Slugger Awards and the Roberto Clemente Award. Jeter was the 28th player to reach 3,000 hits in baseball history. In 2017, the Yankees honored him by retiring his uniform number 2.

Derek Jeter: Baseball Legend

Early Life and Baseball Dreams

Derek Jeter's mother has English, German, and Irish family roots. His father is African-American. They met while serving in the United States Army in Germany. Derek's father also played baseball as a shortstop in college.

When Derek was young, his parents made him sign a contract each year. This contract listed good and bad behaviors. His mother taught him to always have a positive attitude. She told him never to say "can't." Baseball was a big part of their family. Derek's younger sister, Sharlee, was also a softball star in high school.

The Jeter family lived in New Jersey until Derek was four. Then they moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan. Derek started playing little league baseball when he was five. During the school year, the children lived with their parents. In the summers, they stayed with their grandparents in New Jersey. Going to New York Yankees games with his grandparents made Jeter a huge fan. He was inspired by star outfielder Dave Winfield to play baseball.

Jeter went to Kalamazoo Central High School. He played cross country, basketball, and baseball there. He was an excellent hitter for the school's baseball team. In his sophomore year, he hit .557. As a junior, he hit .508. In his senior year, he hit .508 again. He also had 23 runs batted in (RBIs) and four home runs. He stole 12 bases and only struck out once.

After high school, Jeter received many awards. These included the 1992 High School Player of the Year Award. He also won the 1992 Gatorade High School Player of the Year. Jeter earned a baseball scholarship to play for the University of Michigan.

Starting His Professional Journey

Minor League Adventures

The Houston Astros had the first pick in the 1992 MLB draft. A scout for the Astros, Hal Newhouser, really wanted them to pick Jeter. But the Astros were worried Jeter would ask for a lot of money. So, they picked another player instead. Newhouser believed in Jeter so much that he quit his job.

The Yankees had the sixth pick and also liked Jeter a lot. Their scout, Dick Groch, convinced them to pick him. Groch famously said, "the only place Derek Jeter's going is to Cooperstown." The Yankees drafted Jeter, and he decided to become a professional player. He signed a contract for $800,000.

Jeter played four seasons in Minor League Baseball. He started with the Gulf Coast Yankees in 1992. In his first professional game, he didn't get any hits and struck out five times. He struggled that season, hitting only .202. He was homesick and frustrated.

The Yankees moved Jeter to the Greensboro Hornets in 1993. He hit .295 with five home runs and 71 RBIs. He also stole 18 bases. Managers in the league called him the "Most Outstanding Major League Prospect." He made 56 errors that year, which was a record. But he was still named the league's Best Defensive Shortstop.

In 1994, Jeter played for three different minor league teams. He hit .344 with five home runs and 68 RBIs. He also stole 50 bases. He won Minor League Player of the Year awards from several publications. Heading into the 1995 season, he was seen as one of the best young players.

Becoming a New York Yankee Star

Early Years with the Yankees (1995-1998)

Jeter made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut on May 29, 1995. He wore uniform number 2. In his first game, he didn't get any hits. The next day, he got his first two major league hits. He played 13 games before being sent back to the minor leagues.

For the 1996 season, new manager Joe Torre decided Jeter would be the starting shortstop. Jeter was the first Yankees rookie to start at shortstop since 1962. He hit his first MLB home run on Opening Day. Jeter had a fantastic rookie year, hitting .314 with 10 home runs. He also scored 104 runs and had 78 RBIs. He was named the unanimous AL Rookie of the Year.

The Yankees made it to the postseason in 1996. In the American League Championship Series, Jeter hit a controversial home run. A young fan reached over the wall and caught the ball, making it a home run. The Yankees won that game and the series. Jeter helped the Yankees win the 1996 World Series, their first championship since 1978.

Before the 1997 season, Jeter signed a new contract. He became the Yankees' leadoff hitter. He hit .291 with 10 home runs and 70 RBIs. He also scored 116 runs and had 190 hits. The Yankees lost in the playoffs that year.

In 1998, Jeter was selected for his first All-Star Game. He hit .324 and led the league with 127 runs. He also had 19 home runs and 84 RBIs. The Yankees won 114 games that season, one of the best teams ever. Jeter hit .353 in the 1998 World Series. The Yankees defeated the San Diego Padres to win another championship.

Championship Years (1999-2002)

In 1999, Jeter had his best season for hitting. He led the American League (AL) with 219 hits. He was second in batting average (.349) and runs scored (134). He also had personal bests in doubles (37), triples (9), and home runs (24). Jeter drove in 102 runs, which was rare for a shortstop. He played in his second All-Star game. In the postseason, Jeter hit very well. The Yankees won another championship, their third with Jeter.

Before the 2000 season, Jeter signed a one-year contract for $10 million. He hit .339 that season with 15 home runs. He also scored 119 runs and stole 22 bases. In the 2000 MLB All-Star Game, he had three hits and won the All-Star Game MVP Award. This was the first time a Yankee won this award.

In the 2000 World Series, Jeter hit .409 against the New York Mets. He hit two home runs and two doubles. The Yankees won their third straight championship. Jeter won the World Series MVP Award. He was the first player to win both the All-Star Game MVP and World Series MVP in the same season.

Before the 2001 season, Jeter signed a ten-year, $189 million contract. He had another strong season, hitting .311 with 21 home runs. He also stole 27 bases. In the playoffs, Jeter made an amazing defensive play. It was called "The Flip." He ran from shortstop to grab a wild throw and flipped it to the catcher. The catcher tagged out the runner at home plate. This play helped the Yankees win the game.

The September 11 attacks delayed the playoffs in 2001. The Yankees played in the 2001 World Series in November. Jeter hit a game-winning home run in Game 4. The scoreboard called him "Mr. November." This was a nod to former Yankee Reggie Jackson, "Mr. October." The Yankees lost the World Series in seven games.

In 2002, Jeter hit .297 with 18 home runs. He also stole a career-best 32 bases. He was caught stealing only three times. He made his fifth All-Star appearance. The Yankees lost in the playoffs to the Anaheim Angels.

Captain of the Yankees (2003-2008)

On Opening Day of the 2003 season, Jeter dislocated his left shoulder. He missed 36 games, his first major injury. He returned to hit .324. On June 3, 2003, George Steinbrenner named Jeter the captain of the Yankees. This was a big honor, as the team had not had a captain since 1995. The Yankees lost the World Series in six games that year.

In 2004, the Yankees got Alex Rodriguez, another great shortstop. Rodriguez moved to third base, and Jeter stayed at shortstop. Jeter started the season slowly, hitting only .168 in April. But he improved and finished the season hitting .292. He also hit a career-best 44 doubles.

On July 1, 2004, Jeter made an incredible play against the Boston Red Sox. He ran into the stands to catch a pop fly. He cut his chin and bruised his face. This play was voted the Play of the Year by fans. After the season, Jeter won his first Gold Glove Award for his defense.

In 2005, Jeter was second in the AL in runs scored (122). He also had 202 hits. He won his second straight Gold Glove Award. Even though he hit well in the playoffs, the Yankees lost to the Angels.

For the 2006 season, Jeter moved to the second spot in the batting lineup. He got his 2,000th career hit, becoming the eighth Yankee to do so. Jeter finished the season hitting .343, second-best in the AL. He also had 214 hits. He was selected for his seventh All-Star team. He hit .500 in the playoffs, but the Yankees lost to the Detroit Tigers.

Many people thought Jeter would win the AL MVP Award in 2006. He finished second in the voting. He won the Hank Aaron Award for his great hitting. He also won his third straight Gold Glove Award.

In 2007, Jeter had 203 hits, his third year in a row with over 200 hits. He also hit .322. He was selected for his eighth All-Star team. He helped turn a career-high 104 double plays. The Yankees lost in the playoffs to the Cleveland Indians.

Jeter hit his 400th career double in 2008. He also hit his 200th home run. His hitting improved after May. He finished the season with a .300 batting average. He was elected to his ninth All-Star game. Jeter broke Lou Gehrig's record for hits at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees did not make the playoffs in 2008, the only full season in Jeter's career without a playoff appearance. After the last game at Yankee Stadium, Jeter gave a speech thanking the fans.

Leading the Team (2009-2013)

In 2009, Jeter moved back to the leadoff spot in the batting order. He hit .334, third-best in the AL. He had 18 home runs, 66 RBIs, and 30 stolen bases. He also had 212 hits, second-most in MLB. Defensively, Jeter made a career-low eight errors. His fielding percentage was his best ever.

Jeter reached two big milestones in 2009. On August 16, he broke Luis Aparicio's record for most hits by a shortstop. On September 11, he became the all-time hits leader for the Yankees. He passed Lou Gehrig with his 2,722nd hit.

In the 2009 postseason, Jeter hit .355. He hit .407 in the 2009 World Series. The Yankees won their fifth World Series championship with Jeter. He won the Roberto Clemente Award and his fourth Gold Glove Award. He also finished third in the AL MVP voting. This was the fifth championship for Jeter and his teammates Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada, and Mariano Rivera. They were known as the "Core Four."

In 2010, Jeter, Posada, and Rivera became the first trio of teammates to play 16 straight seasons together. Statistically, 2010 was Jeter's toughest year. He hit a career-low .270. But he was still elected to start in the All-Star Game. He made adjustments to his swing and improved his hitting later in the season. After the season, Jeter won his fifth Gold Glove Award.

After the 2010 season, Jeter became a free agent for the first time. He was 36 years old, and some thought his skills were declining. Jeter wanted to stay with the Yankees. He signed a three-year contract for $51 million. He worked on his swing during the offseason.

Jeter struggled at the start of the 2011 season. He hit only .242 in April. On May 28, 2011, he broke Rickey Henderson's Yankees record for stolen bases. He stole his 327th base. He had a calf injury in June and missed time. While recovering, he worked on his swing with his former minor league manager. He improved greatly after returning, hitting .326 for the rest of the season.

On July 9, 2011, Jeter got his 3,000th career hit. It was a home run off David Price. Jeter had five hits in that game, a rare achievement. He is the only player to get all 3,000 hits with the New York Yankees. He is also one of only two regular shortstops to reach 3,000 hits.

Jeter chose not to play in the 2011 All-Star Game to rest. On August 29, 2011, he played his 2,402nd game with the Yankees. This broke Mickey Mantle's record for most games played as a Yankee. He finished the season with 162 hits. This was his 16th straight season with 150 hits. He also won the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award for his charity work.

In 2012, Jeter started the season very well, hitting .420 in April. He recorded his 11th All-Star hit, passing Mantle for the most All-Star hits in Yankees history. Jeter finished the 2012 season with the most hits in MLB (216). He moved into the Top 10 on the all-time hit list.

Jeter fractured his left ankle during Game 1 of the 2012 ALCS. This injury ended his season. He had surgery on his ankle. While recovering in 2013, he suffered another small crack in his ankle. He played only 17 games in 2013 due to injuries. He batted .190 that season.

His Final Season (2014)

Jeter signed a one-year contract for $12 million for the 2014 season. On February 12, 2014, he announced that the 2014 season would be his last. During his final season, every opposing team honored Jeter. They often gave donations to his charity, the Turn 2 Foundation.

On July 10, Jeter had his 1,000th game with multiple hits. He was elected to start at shortstop in the 2014 All-Star Game. He hit 2-for-2 and received two standing ovations. At 40, he was the oldest player to have two or more hits in an All-Star Game. In July, Jeter broke Omar Vizquel's MLB record for games started at shortstop. He also broke Gehrig's Yankees record for doubles. He scored his 1,900th career run, becoming the 10th player to do so. Jeter passed Carl Yastrzemski and Honus Wagner on the all-time hits list.

The Yankees honored Jeter with a special ceremony on September 7. They wore a patch on their hats and uniforms for the rest of the season. MLB Commissioner Bud Selig honored him with the Commissioner's Historic Achievement Award.

For his final home game on September 25, ticket prices were very high. In that game, Jeter hit a walk-off single to win the game, 6–5. This was a perfect ending to his career at Yankee Stadium.

Jeter decided to play only as a designated hitter in his final series in Boston. This way, his last memories as a shortstop would be at Yankee Stadium. The Red Sox also honored him with a ceremony. In his final at-bat, he hit an RBI single. He received a standing ovation from the Boston fans as he left the field.

Playing for Team USA

Jeter played shortstop for the United States national baseball team in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. He hit very well, with a .450 batting average. He was named to the All-Tournament Team as the shortstop.

He played again in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. Manager Davey Johnson named him captain of the U.S. team. Jeter hit .276 in eight games. He even played against the Yankees in an exhibition game. This was the only time he played against his own team.

Derek Jeter's Baseball Style

Jeter is known as one of the most consistent baseball players ever. He averaged 204 hits, 113 runs, and 21 stolen bases per season. He is currently sixth on the all-time hits list in MLB history. Jeter was very competitive. He once said, "If you're going to play at all, you're out to win." Many people see Jeter as one of the best players of his time.

Jeter was an aggressive hitter. His special swing, called the "Jeterian Swing," sent most of his hits to center and right field. Most of his home runs also went to right field. This was good for him because Yankee Stadium had shorter fences in right field.

Jeter was also known for his professional behavior. He avoided scandals during his high-profile career in New York City. He always worked hard. Opponents and teammates respected him a lot. He was a leader in the clubhouse and often helped calm arguments between teammates.

Amazing Postseason Plays

Jeter is famous for his great performances in the playoffs. He earned nicknames like "Captain Clutch" and "Mr. November." He had a .309 batting average in the postseason. In the World Series, he hit .321.

The Yankees made the playoffs almost every year of Jeter's career. He holds many MLB postseason records. These include most games played (158) and most hits (200). He is also fourth in home runs (20) and RBIs (61).

Playing Defense

Jeter won five Gold Glove Awards for his defense. Only a few shortstops have won more. He was good at positioning himself and throwing the ball quickly. One of his famous defensive moves was the "jump-throw." He would jump and throw to first base while moving towards third.

However, some baseball experts who use advanced statistics criticized Jeter's defense. They said his numbers for things like "range factor" were not as good. A study in 2008 even said he was the worst defensive shortstop in MLB from 2002 to 2005.

Jeter made 18 errors in 2007, his highest total since 2000. After that season, the Yankees asked him to work on his defense. He did a special training program to improve his movement. His defensive numbers improved in 2008.

When asked about criticism, Jeter said, "I play in New York, man. Criticism is part of the game, you take criticism as a challenge." He also said that some defensive skills are hard to measure with numbers. The debate about Jeter's defense became a big discussion. It showed the difference between using statistics and just watching a player.

Life Beyond the Field

Jeter has owned homes in New Jersey, New York, and Florida. He lives in Miami with his wife. In September 2020, they listed their Tampa home for sale.

Jeter's personal life was often in the news. He dated several famous people. In 2012, he started dating model Hannah Davis. They got engaged in 2015 and married in July 2016. They have three daughters and a son.

Helping Others: Turn 2 Foundation

Jeter started a charity called the Turn 2 Foundation in 1996. This foundation encourages young people to live healthy lives. In 2012, Jeter received an honorary doctorate for his foundation's work.

Since 2009, Jeter has been an ambassador for Weplay. This website helps kids get involved in sports. Jeter also played in a charity baseball game in Japan. This game raised money for people affected by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

In 2018, Jeter donated furniture to families who lost their homes in Hurricane Irma. In 2019, he donated $3.2 million to his old school district. This money helped renovate their baseball and softball complex.

Business Ventures

During his injury-shortened 2013 season, Jeter started a publishing company. It is called Jeter Publishing. He said it was "the blueprint for postcareer." It publishes books for adults and children.

In 2014, Jeter launched a website called ThePlayersTribune.com. This website allows professional athletes to share their stories directly with fans. Jeter also has investments in other companies. He even considered buying the Buffalo Bills football team in 2014.

In July 2017, Jeter was part of a group that bought the Miami Marlins baseball team. The sale was completed in September 2017. Jeter owned a small part of the team, but he was named the chief executive officer (CEO). He was in charge of the team's daily operations. On February 28, 2022, Jeter announced he would no longer be the CEO or an owner of the Marlins.

In 2022, Jeter announced a new company called Arena Club. It is a platform for grading, storing, and selling sports cards.

Media and Appearances

Jeter has appeared in many commercials for big brands. These include Nike, Gatorade, Ford, and Gillette. He also has his own cologne called Driven. He has his own Jumpman shoe. For his final year, the Jordan brand made a tribute commercial called "#RE2PECT." It showed many people tipping their caps to Jeter.

In 2006, Jeter was the second-highest paid athlete for endorsements in baseball. He was ranked the most marketable player in baseball several times. A 2011 study found him to be the most marketable player.

Jeter has also appeared on TV shows like Seinfeld and Saturday Night Live. He had small roles in movies like Anger Management. He was the subject of a segment on 60 Minutes. He also appeared in a Broadway play called Bronx Bombers.

Jeter has been on the cover of video games like MLB 2K5. There is a wax figure of him at Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. A sculpture of him is at the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory. A documentary miniseries about his life, The Captain, came out in 2022. In 2023, Jeter joined Fox Sports as a baseball analyst.

Awards and Achievements

Major Awards

Derek Jeter's number 2 was retired by the New York Yankees in 2017.

In 2003, Kalamazoo Central High School put Jeter in its athletic hall of fame. They also renamed their baseball field after him in 2011. In 2015, Jeter was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame. The Yankees retired Jeter's uniform number 2. They also unveiled a plaque for him at Monument Park in 2017.

On January 21, 2020, Jeter was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. He was in his first year of eligibility. He received 99.7% of the votes, just one vote shy of being a unanimous choice. This was the second-highest percentage in Hall of Fame history. He was officially honored in a ceremony on September 8, 2021.

• 

  Jeter receives his 2009 World Series Championship ring

• 

  Jeter warming up before a game in 2011

Key Statistics

Images for kids

• 

  Jeter with his boyhood idol Dave Winfield at Dodger Stadium, June 2010

• 

  Jeter (right) with his fellow Core Four teammates in 2015. All four made their major-league debuts for the Yankees in 1995.

• 

  Jeter during his rookie season in May 1996

• 

  Jeter in his distinctive early career upright batting stance at the new Comiskey Park, 1999

• 

  Jeter meets United States Air Force pilot Capt. Bill Denehen in May 2000

• 

  Jeter chats with President George W. Bush before Game 3 of the 2001 World Series

• 

  Jeter during batting practice before a game in 2004

• 

  Jeter connects for a hit against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2006

• 

  Jeter in 2007

• 

  Jeter saluting the crowd after becoming the all-time Yankees hits leader in 2009

• 

  Jeter crosses home plate after recording his 3,000th hit in 2011, his teammates waiting to congratulate him

• 

  A fan holding a sign honoring Jeter during his final season

• 

  Jeter tagging out Miguel Tejada in 2007

• 

  Jeter practices fielding in August 2011

• 

  Jeter joking with other players during Spring training in 2007

• 

  Derek Jeter wearing a navy hat and grey baseball uniform with a black glove stares into the distance.