Jeter
February 19th, 2009 | by Denise I Smithson |Born in Pequannok, New Jersey in June of 1974, Derek Jeter and his family later moved to Michigan where Jeter played basketball and baseball at his Kalamazoo, Michigan high school. He was chosen by the New York Yankees as the sixth overall first round pick of the 1996 draft.
Jeter soon became established as one of the best players in the American League. He received the Rookie of Year award in his first season with the Yankees. With each passing year, he continued to improve at the plate and he was outstanding as an infielder in his shortstop position. Jeter was the first rookie in 34 years to be given a starting position as a shortstop. Derek Jeter has since become one of modern baseballs most recognized stars.
In 1995, Jeter helped the Yankees defeat the Atlanta Braves while sweeping the World Series. During the 1996 World Series, Derek Jeter had five hits with five runs scored. In 1997, though never making it to the World Series, Jeter batted .291, had 70 RBI’s and 10 homeruns. By the 1998 season, Derek Jeter became a household name. He ended the 1998 season with a .324 batting average, with 19 homeruns, 84 RBI’s and 203 hits. He scored the league high with 127 runs.
In 1999, Jeter became the highest paid player among those with just a few years of service. When Jeter and his agent could not reach an agreement with the Yankees about his new contract, they went to arbitration with the Yankees owner, George Steinbrenner. Jeter won this arbitration and earned a one-year $5 million dollar contract.
Jeter continued to focus on his game. This focus paid off; he ended the 1999 season by breaking most of his personal records. He had 24 home runs, 134 scored runs, 9 triples, 102 RBI’s and a .349 batting average. He was awarded All-Star for the second time.
In game four of the 2000 World Series match between the New York Yankees and the New York Mets, Jeter kicked off the game with a home run on the very first pitch. In his second at-bat, Jeter hit a triple and scored, giving the Yankees a comfortable three-run lead. The Yankees went on to win the 2000 World Series in five games.
While Jeter retains his super-stardom on the field, he finds time to contribute to his community. He and his father founded the Turn 2 Foundation. This agency is geared toward high-risk kids and steers them away from drug use. It encourages academic achievement and a healthy lifestyle. Turn 2 operates in his hometown of Kalamazoo and in New York City, where he lives.
Derek Jeter was the first player in history to be named both the World Series MVP and All-Star Game MVP in the same season; he received these awards in 2000. He has been is a seven time American League All-Star.