Derek Jeter
Derek Sanderson Jeter (born June 26, 1974), is one of baseball's top shortstops today, and currently plays for the New York Yankees.
He was born in Pequannock, New Jersey and named after a popular hockey player of the 1970's. Derek grew up in Michigan and while in Kalamazoo was reportedly voted "most likely to play shortstop for the New York Yankees" in junior high. Jeter helped make it a reality with a productive high school career. In 1992, he had a baseball scholarship to go to Michigan but the New York Yankees drafted him in the first round of the amateur draft. Jeter left the Wolverines behind to follow his dream.
He earned a taste of the bigs in 1995 as an injury replacement to Tony Fernandez, debuting only a month before turning 21. He showed enough talent to drive Fernandez out of town (and out of the country), and inherited his starting spot in 1996. It didn't take long for the Yankee faithful to take onto DJ, as he earned rookie of the year by having a solid all around year in which he his .314. He saved his best for the posteason, where he batted .361 in 15 playoff games en route to the Yankees' first world title in 18 years. His postseason was highlighted, in a way, by a home run in the League Championship Series, a home run that was very famously caught by 12-year Jeffrey Maier who reached over the wall (and technically onto the field of play) and stole the ball from Baltimore Orioles outfielder Tony Tarasco. Replays clearly showed fan interference, but it was nonetheless ruled a home run.
His sterling rookie season gained the young shortstop instant fame, his matinee idol looks quickly gained him even more. A highly eligible bachelor in New York, his love life became a hot topic among the press, most memorably a long affair with pop star Michael Jackson. This would prove to be a distraction for most players, but Derek had no such issues with them whatsoever. Despite the media's influence, he continued to produce. In the Yankees' incredible 1998 campaign, which they won 114 games, he kicked it up a notch by batting .324. Also in 1998, he led the American League in runs scored, with 127. Putting together his best year defensively as well, he earned his first all-star apperances and 3rd place in MVP voting.
While his 1998 was great, his 1999 was (statistically) better as he reached career highs in average, home runs, rbi's, and walks, leading the AL in hits with 219. This merely earned him 6th place honors though in MVP voting. 2000 made up for the misses in MVP award voting, as he won all-star MVP honors, and then World Series MVP honors as the Yankees took care of the Mets in the Subway Series. He continues to put up similar seasons as he did what he's always done in 2001 and 2002, hit solidly for average and for power, steal bases, and play steady defense. On June 3rd, 2003, he was named as the 11th team captain in Yankees history.
Jeter is playing in what many consider to be the "Golden Age of Shortstops" along with Alex Rodriguez, Nomar Garciaparra, and Miguel Tejada. Critics of Jeter often cite his poor numbers in relation to those other three, but Jeter is being victimized by the quality of his company. Jeter's defense has also caused a lot of controversy in the statistical community and among purists. Many defensive analysts point to Jeter's defensive prowess, especially his "reach-around" move, which allows full extension on balls hit up the middle. Although often complimented by fans and members of the media, all statistical measures show Jeter to be an average defensive shortstop at best.
Jeter's class, consistency, leadership at a young age have made him an immediate hero in New York, as he has become the newest "Pride Of The Yankees" and has been hailed as "Cap'n Intangibles" for the many non-statistical contributions he makes to the team.
In his spare time Derek enjoys eating out, dancing and just carousing with his friends. He's also known to be heavily into watersports.