While baseball fans and current Major League ballplayers everywhere knew Derek Jeter's career was entering the home stretch, unexpected news from the Yankees shortstop announcing his retirement Wednesday -- a retirement that will become effective following the 2014 MLB season -- still created a level of sadness for those who have watched, played with and admired the 39-year-old's career for the past 19 seasons. Though he played sparingly during the latter part of the 1995 campaign, the current captain of the New York Yankees didn't earn full-time duties until 1996, when he was named everyday shortstop by Yankees manager Joe Torre.
One of the classiest guys professional sports has ever seen and one of the most clutch hitters Major League Baseball has had the pleasure of enjoying, No. 2 announced that he will retire following the 2014 season via Facebook. Thanking those closest to him, his teammates and New York fans, Jeter noted that he will surely miss the game of baseball but because the game has become more of a job than it has in season's past -- largely due to injury -- he felt that one more season was enough to cap off a stellar career.
“So many people have traveled along this journey with me and helped me along the way,” he posted on his personal Facebook page. “I want to especially thank the Boss, the Steinbrenner family, the entire Yankees organization, my managers, my coaches, my teammates, my friends and of course above all, my family. They taught me incredible life lessons and are the #1 reason I lasted this long. I also couldn’t have done it without the people of New York, NY fans always pushed me to be my best. They have embraced me, loved me, respected me and have ALWAYS been there for me. I never could have imagined playing anywhere else.”
A strong show of support for Derek Jeter arose after his announcement hit news outlets across the globe and one of those appreciative individuals was current New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner. Understanding that his shortstop wanted the news to be kept quiet, Steinbrenner simply thanked Jeter for his services and told him that announcing his retirement ahead of the 2014 MLB season would be a great way for fans at every ballpark to say goodbye to him in a manner he deserves.
“Derek called me this morning to tell me that he planned to retire following the season," Steinbrenner said. "In our conversation, I told him that I respected his decision because I know he put a lot of thought into it. I also let him know that I thought it was great that he was letting fans know now so they will have a chance to say goodbye to him.”
In addition to Steinbrenner's support Jeter's retirement news, former Yankees teammates Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera along with managers Joe Torre and Joe Girardi also expressed their appreciation for one of the greatest players in the long and storied history of the New York Yankees.
“It was an honor and privilege to have Derek next to me for all those years,” Posada, who retired prior to the 2012 season, said in a statement. “He made me a better player and a better person. I’m so proud of our friendship and I love him like a brother. Derek was a true champion and the greatest teammate I ever had.”
Mariano Rivera, who enjoyed a great farewell tour last season, said he's extremely happy that Derek Jeter gets to go out on his own terms. “He’s a fighter, and he has always been a fighter,” Rivera said. “But you don’t want to leave when you’re down. He still has a lot of ability. My prayer for him is that his body will hold on. I want him to do good and be happy and leave the right way. That’s what he deserves. I am happy for him. And that is my prayer: that when he leaves the game, it’s not the wrong way. It’s the right way.”
“Derek Jeter has been a great representative of what the Yankees have stood for over the years,” current Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. “He has been a team player who has only cared about winning. He has also been a fine example both on and off the field over his long tenure as a Yankee. It has been a real pleasure to manage him and play alongside him.”
One of the reasons Derek Jeter was able to grow into such a successful player was due to the trust former manager Joe Torre had in him. Handing him the starting job at shortstop in 1996 after a miserable Spring Training, Jeter went on to claim the 1996 Rookie of the Year award while helping the Yankees claim their 23rd World Series championship.
“He’s very loyal,” Torre, who won four World Series titles with Derek Jeter, said. “He’s the kind of guy you’d want to raise your kids to be like or you want your daughter to marry. He’s just a stand-up guy with a great deal of character. Unfortunately, there aren’t a whole lot of those people around anymore.”
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