The House that Derek Jeter built – Part 2
Derek Jeter’s career kicked started with the New York Yankees and he has stayed with the world famous team throughout the length of his career. He has been very vocal about the fact that he would like to retire with the same team as well.
His first brush with Minor League Baseball came in the June 1992 Draft where he was picked up by the New York Yankees. That in itself was an achievement because New York rarely uses their first round choices on high school players. He was signed on for $700,000
and a promise from the Yankee camp that in case of an unfortunate career- ending injury, the club would pay the tab for his college tuition.
Although he aced his time at the Minor Leagues, his 56 committing errors did not go unnoticed. Disappointed in himself, Jeter worked extra hard to focus on his fielding. In the Minor Leagues he was voted the Most Outstanding Major League Prospect for the
South Atlantic League, South Atlantic League’s Best Defensive Shortstop, Most Exciting Players and Best Infield Arm by Baseball America. If that wasn’t enough, he was also named Most Valued Player of the Florida State League and Minor League Players of the
Year by Baseball America, The Sporting News, USA Today and Topps.
Since his Rookie season, Jeter has managed to impress everyone from the time he started his Major League career. He was a crucial part of the team that won the 1998, 1999 and 2000 World Series. He was recipient of many accolades and respect from everyone
that included fans, coaches, sports commentators, team-mates and rivals.
Derek has never stopped pushing his boundaries even though he is now an established and renowned star who doesn’t need to prove himself to anyone, anymore. The term Mr. Dependable was coined for him in 2000 when the Yankee line-up wasn’t performing well
due to many of their power house stars aging. At that time he batted .339 and scored 119 runs. His defence was exceptional that season as he went 3-for-3 in the All Star game and bagged the Most Valued Player trophy as well.
It wasn’t a smooth ride for Jeter all the way though. There was a time in 2004 where his performances had deteriorated so much that he was booed on his arrival to the field. When the Yankees are booing their own players, you know something is gravely wrong.
Instead of going into further decline, Jeter worked hard and stepped up his game by a mile. He finished of the same horrible season with an excellent .292 average along with 23 home-runs. That was the first season he collected his Gold Glove Award.
Jeter was known to be particularly close to George Steinbrenner, who suffered a heart attack and quickly passed away during the time of the 2010 All Star Game. Jeter was saddened by his death and the All Star event turned out to be a somber event instead
of the loud and fun filled one that it usually is. The Boss, Steinbrenner demanded nothing short of perfection from his team and neither does Jeter, from his team or from himself.
Jeter still has to write the end of his inspirational career, but as expected he will bow out of the game in the same classy manner that he came in with. ‘The House that Jeter Built’ is a sign that is hung at the new Yankee stadium. The same stadium, which
is known as ‘The House that Babe Ruth built.’ Jeter has managed to achieve the same status of Babe Ruth in the hearts of fans and there is no better achievement then that in baseball.
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