Derek Jeter was
born in
New Jersey, but reared in
Kalamazoo Michigan where he became
one of the nation's most sought-after high school baseball
players. Recruited heavily by the
University of Michigan, Jeter instead chose to sign with the
Yankees after being drafted his senior year when he was named
the National High School Player of the Year.
Jeter supported the Yankees' decision to make him their first round pick by winning the minor league Player of the Year award. He hit .344 at Triple A Columbus and the Yankees were chomping at the bit to get him in the lineup.
Rising quickly through the minor leagues, Jeter played briefly with the Yankees in 1995 and then became the Yanks' everyday shortstop in 1996. Just 21 on Opening Day, Jeter became the first Yankee rookie since 1962 to start at shortstop. He wasn't awed by the bright lights, however, hitting .314 and helping the Yankees to the World Series championship under manager Joe Torre. Always respectful, the young Jeter referred to his skipper as "Mr. Torre" in the clubhouse and in interviews with an amused media corps. But it wasn't a rookie act. Jeter continues to call Torre "Mister" even now as the Yankees celebrate their fourth championship in five years. Capping the season with the Rookie of the Year award in November, Jeter was already a sensation in New York. His youth, good looks, success and trendy clothes captured the fancy of fans and non-fans.
But Jeter was Just getting started. In 1998, now 24, he was named to his first All Star team. Solid in the field and dangerous at the plate, Jeter developed more muscle power by 1999. As the Yankees sought their second straight Series title and third in four years, Jeter hit .348 but also belted a career high 24 homers, 102 RBI and a slugging percentage of .552.
In 2000, Jeter was again spectacular. He was the All Star game MVP, thanks to a first inning home run that propelled the American League to victory. But he saved his best for the post-season. Jeter continued his streak of errorless play at shortstop (he hasn't made one in the Series since '96) and his bat was a big factor in another Yankees championship. In game 2, he doubled and then scored the decisive run in a 6-5 win over the Mets. His homer in game five tied the score of a game the Yankees would win to capture the title. He was named the Series MVP. No player in major league history had ever won both the All Star and World Series MVP trophies in the same season.
Jeter continued to lead the Yankees in 2001, the two highlight of his seasons coming in the playoffs. In the do or die Game 3 of the Divisional series, the Yankee shortstop made a magical defensive play, redirecting an errant throw, like a masterful basketball point guard shuffling an assist to a power forward, from rightfielder Shane Spencer to catcher Jorge Posada, who tagged out Jeremy Giambi just in time to save a 1-0 lead. In the World Series, Jeter became the first player to hit a home run in November with a dramatic game-winner.
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