Derek Jeter, 39, has decided to call it quits after one last season with the New York Yankees. Jeter has played his entire career with the Yanks, and will retire as one of the all-time greats in the game. The Yankees franchise boasts some of the most memorable names in baseball history… Ruth, Mantle, Gehrig, and Reggie. Derek Jeter will now take his place next to these Yankee legends. He is currently in the last season of a four year, $60 million contract with the club. Jeter made his announcement via a lengthy Facebook post that this would be his final season.
Last season, Jeter was sidelined with injuries and only played in 17 games, hitting a career low.190, with one home run, and only 7 RBI. Over the bulk of his career, however, his statistics were much more impressive. He has career numbers that rank near the top in many statistical catagories. His career batting average is.312, with 256 home runs and 1,261 RBI. He is one of the most well rounded hitters in MLB history with 348 stolen bases, 3,316 hits, and 1,876 runs scored. Jeter is tenth all time in career hits and thirteenth all time in career runs.
What is perhaps more remarkable about Jeter is that he has performed his best when the game was on the line. He is known as one of the top post-season players in baseball history, being given the nickname, Mr. November. Jeter is a five time World Series Champion, all with the Yankees, and won the 1996 American League Rookie of the Year award.
In his announcement, Jeter remembered all of the good times, stating:
“I will remember it all: the cheers, the boos, every win, every loss, all the plane trips, the bus rides, the clubhouses, the walks through the tunnel and every drive to and from the Bronx,” the post read. “I have achieved almost every personal and professional goal I have set. I have gotten the very most out of my life playing baseball, and I have absolutely no regrets.”
He ended his post by claiming that he hopes to help the Yankees reach their goal of winning one more championship this upcoming season. After the season, Jeter plans to jump into business and philanthropic projects. Outside of business, he is looking to focus on his personal life and finally start a family of his own. He said that for the past 20 years, he felt as though he was living a dream. Growing up, he only had one goal – to be the shortstop for the New York Yankees. Derek was able to live that dream for the last 20 years, and will always be remembered as on of the best to ever put on a Yankee uniform.
As a side note, if you are planning on making a trip to Yankee Stadium to see Jeter in his last season, be prepared to pay more for your tickets. After his announcement, ticket prices with brokers were up over 250%. It will cost you to see Derek Jeter take his final swings this season.
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