The Yankees of this era will be remembered as Derek Jeter’s team. Yankee dynasties are defined by star players. There were the Yankees of Ruth and Gehrig in the 1920s and 1930s, the Yankees of Joe DiMaggio (1940s), of Mickey Mantle (1950s and 60s), of Reggie Jackson and Thurman Munson (1970s).
Then there are today’s Yankees. Since 1996, they have won four World Series, six American League pennants and played in the postseason 11 straight seasons, a franchise record. Jeter has been with the team through the whole run.
He was named team captain in 2003, and any doubts that this was Jeter’s team were erased when reigning AL MVP Alex Rodriguez came to the club and moved from short to third base.
Jeter made his debut in 1995. He was named as the club’s starting shortstop in spring training in 1996. He went on to win the Rookie of the Year Award and the Yankees won their first World Series since 1978. The Yankees won three of the next four series and went to the Fall Classic in 2001 and 2003.
Jeter was one of several offensive-minded shortstops — including Rodriguez, Miguel Tejada and Nomar Garciaparra — who burst on the scene in late 1990s.
Although Jeter has won three consecutive Gold Gloves, some say he lacks the range of top fielding shortstops. He’s shown a flair dramatic, such as his well-known no-look, shovel-pass relay to nail Oakland’s Jason Giambi at home plate in the 2001 AL Division Series.
Jeter’s leadership came under question in 2006 when he was criticized for not doing more for Rodriguez when Yankees fans were booing A-Rod. Fast friends before they were teammates, Jeter’s relationship with Rodriguez has cooled.
Jeter Says
On New York Fans:
“When you play in New York, you realize that the fans are intelligent; they know the game; and if you play the game hard and show respect for the game, they’ll show respect for you.”
On his approach:
“You gotta have fun. Regardless of how you look at it, we’re playing a game. It’s a business, it’s our job, but I don’t think you can do well unless you’re having fun.”
On being a Yankee:
“God, I hope I wear this jersey forever.”
“In a perfect world, we’d all be Yankees.”