Although he would prefer it to happen in a subdued fashion, Derek Jeter isn’t going away quietly. His fans, and the only big league team he’s ever known, won’t let him.
The praise—and subsequent gifts—given to the longtime Yankees shortstop has been over-the-top. And, no doubt, Jeter would be the first to admit that. However, it is most certainly deserved.
Since donning the pinstripes in 1995, Jeter has won five World Series titles as well as the appreciation and respect of the sporting community—even from the most hardened Yankee hater. The latest in a long line of honors was a pre-game ceremony on Sunday at Yankee Stadium, in which everyone from Dave Winfield to Cal Ripken Jr. to Michael Jordan were in attendance to pay homage to No. 2. It won’t be long before he’ll be among the immortals in Monument Park.
His indelible on-field moments span nearly two decades—and here are the ten best.
10. First career home run (1996)
After a brief stint with the Yankees in the latter part of 1995, Jeter was tabbed as the team’s starting shortstop at the beginning of the 1996 season. He proved his worth almost immediately, hitting career homer No. 1 on Opening Day at Jacobs Field off Cleveland Indians pitcher Dennis Martinez.
By the time the season was over, Jeter was the American League Rookie of the Year and he had helped the Yankees win their first World Championship since 1978.
9. Quite the return from injury (2013)
Jeter’s ankle injury during Game 2 of the 2012 ALCS all but sealed the Yankees’ fate as they were swept by the Detroit Tigers.
His attempt to fully return to the Yankee lineup was met with several obstacles. But even with retirement being an option at this stage of his career, Jeter was determined to come back. He did that—and more. On July 28, 2013 against Tampa, he continued to show a flare for the dramatic by taking the first pitch he saw and hitting it over the right field fence.
8. MVP performance in All-Star Game (2000)
In a year that would become his most decorated, Jeter took his successes over the first half of the 2000 season into the All-Star Game at Atlanta’s Turner Field.
Alex Rodriguez may have been elected as the AL’s starting shortstop, but an injury gave Jeter the chance to shine. In becoming the first Yankee ever to win the game’s MVP award, he went 3-for-3 while driving in two as the AL prevailed, 6-3.
In addition to the honor, it would be the third of Jeter’s 14 All-Star Game appearances.
7. Jeffrey Maier-aided home run (1996)
The run to the Yankees’ 1996 title didn’t come without a heap of controversy. It’s hard not to forget 12-year old Jeffrey Maier reaching over the right-field wall at Yankee Stadium to reel in a potential catch by Orioles outfielder Tony Tarasco. It’s easy to forget who hit that fly ball.
Jeter went the other way on a pitch by Baltimore reliever Armando Benitez in the eighth inning. Right field umpire Rich Garcia ruled it a home run. Tarasco went out of his mind—justifiably so. Nonetheless, the Yankees had tied Game 1 of the ALCS and would go on to win it in 11 innings.
6. Becoming the all-time Yankee hit leader (2009)
To surpass Lou Gehrig on any list is quite the accomplishment—just ask Cal Ripken Jr. Jeter further etched his name into Yankees history when, on Sept. 11, 2009 at home against Baltimore, he surpassed the Iron Horse’s club record of 2,722 hits.
In reaching this feat in the Bronx, he received a standing ovation from the fans, his teammates and his opponents—something he has gotten quite familiar with in recent months.
5. Lead-off homer in Game 4 of World Series (2000)
The New York Mets had gained some momentum in the ballyhooed Subway Series thanks to a Game 3 victory at Shea Stadium.
Poised to even the Fall Classic at two games apiece, the home-standing Mets sent Bobby Jones to the hill for this critical start. Jeter, batting in the lead-off spot, sought to make it known which team rules the Big Apple.
On Jones’ first pitch, he connected for a home run to left-center field. The Yankees went on to win in five games with Jeter being named series MVP.
4. 3,000th hit (2011)
When Jeter hangs up the spikes, he’ll finish with more than 3,450 hits—sixth on the all-time list. Getting into the prestigious 3,000 hit club (of which there are 28 players) nearly guarantees admission into the Hall of Fame.
The means by which Jeter joined the club is extremely rare. On July 9, 2011, Jeter became just the second player to make his 3,000th hit a home run (former teammate Wade Boggs was the other). Rays’ lefty David Price delivered the pitch—and the widely-anticipated moment was witnessed by a sold-out Yankee Stadium.
Jeter wasn’t done making the day memorable. He finished with five hits, including one that drove in what turned out to be the game-winning run.
3. “The Dive” (2004)
When you play your entire career with the Yankees, it’s a given that you become entrenched in the rivalry with the Boston Red Sox. Jeter has played a role in many New York victories over the hated foe. Ironically, his last regular season game will come at Fenway Park.
A moment that will resonate forever when remembering Jeter and this rivalry came in the 12th inning of a classic mid-season battle at Yankee Stadium in 2004, with Boston having runners at second and third with two out.
On a pop fly near the left field foul line, Jeter nearly risked life and limb by plunging head-first into the stands after making a hustling catch. The captain emerged from the crowd with a bloody chin and a scar on his right cheek—but he had saved the game. New York went on to win in 13 innings.
2. Mr. November (2001)
The tragic events of September 11th pushed back the 2001 MLB season and forced the World Series deeper into the fall. Game 4 at an emotionally-charged Yankee Stadium against the Arizona Diamondbacks began on the evening of October 31, and Tino Martinez’ ninth inning two-run homer dramatically pushed it into extra innings.
By the bottom of the tenth, the clock had struck midnight and there was World Series baseball in November for the first time. Soon after, Jeter rose to the occasion in these unusual circumstances with an opposite field home run off Byung-Hyun Kim that gave the Bombers a 4-3 win and tied the series at two games apiece.
1. “The Flip” (2001)
Jeremy Giambi’s inexplicable decision not to slide at home plate made Jeter’s hope to get the Oakland A’s baserunner with a flip to Jorge Posada more probable, but doesn’t make the play any less spectacular.
The context of the game—and what would follow—raises the significance of this moment exponentially. It occurred during Game 3 of the 2001 American League Division Series, in which the Yankees were ahead 1-0 on the scoreboard and down two games to none.
A double by Terrance Long went into the right field corner. Shane Spencer went to retrieve it. His throw went over the head of first baseman (and cut-off man) Tino Martinez. Instead of the ball dribbling harmlessly down the line towards Posada, Jeter interceded—coming from out of nowhere to make the barehanded grab and subsequent backhand toss to his catcher. Posada then tagged Giambi and the Yanks preserved the lead.
New York went on to win the game, the ALDS, and eventually advanced to the World Series.