Erick Aybar
Anaheim Angels – No. 2
Shortstop
Born: (1984-01-14) January 14, 1984 (age 28) Bani, Dominican Republic
Bats: Switch	Throws: Right
MLB debut
May 16, 2006 for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Career statistics (through 2011 Season)
Batting average	.276
Home runs	24
Runs batted in	206
Teams
Anaheim Angels (2006–present)
Career highlights and awards
Gold Glove Award (2011)

Erick Johan Aybar (born January 14, 1984 in Baní, Dominican Republic) is a Major League Baseball shortstop with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Career[link]

Dominican Republic[link]

Aybar has also previously played in the Dominican Republic. He is affectionately referred to as "Admiral Aybar" by Angels fans, named after the beloved Star Wars character Admiral Ackbar.

Anaheim Angels[link]

Aybar was signed by the then Anaheim Angels as an amateur free agent in 2002 and made his Major League debut on May 16, 2006 a pinch runner against the Toronto Blue Jays. He recorded his first Major League hit, in his first start, on May 20, 2006 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, a single to right field in the fourth inning off of Brett Tomko.

Aybar hit his first career major league home run on September 25, 2007, in a game against the Texas Rangers.

On September 5, 2009, Aybar tied a franchise record for most triples in a game, 2, against the Kansas City Royals.

September 8, 2009, Aybar had his first career walk-off hit, against the Seattle Mariners.

In game 4 of the 2009 ALCS, Aybar made a single non-glove hand catch to get a double play.

He used to have long dreads, but before Game 6 of the 2009 ALCS he shaved his head.

In Game 3 of the 2009 ALDS against the Boston Red Sox, his hit against Jonathan Papelbon in the 9th inning with 2 outs and 2 strikes kept the Angels alive in Game 3. They would go on to win the game and sweep the nemesis Red Sox.

In 2009, Aybar hit .312 (eighth in the AL) and posted the fourth-best OPS (.776) of all AL shortstops.

On November 1, 2011, Aybar was awarded his first Rawlings Gold Glove Award.

Caribbean Series[link]

During the MLB offseason, Aybar plays in the Caribbean Series alongside many other fellow MLB players from the countries involved. It is a way for them to prepare for the upcoming MLB season by playing in live games and it is a way for them to represent their country. The most talked about series was probably in 2006 when Venezuela and the Dominican Republic squared off. Both of these countries are no strangers to each other and have developed a very heated rivalry over the years.

Down, 4–3, in the ninth, Baltimore catcher Ramon Hernandez, named the Caribbean Series MVP, led off the bottom of the frame with a single and was immediately replaced by pinch runner William Bergolla. The moved proved to be a wise one because Bergolla advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt and tied the game at 4 when he rambled home on Gonzalez's single to right field. He would not stay at first long.

Cubs catcher Henry Blanco followed with a high popup to shallow left field between Dominican shortstop Erick Aybar and left fielder Napoleón Calzado. Backpedaling and seemingly confused, the ball hit Aybar's head and rolled away. Gonzalez sped around the bases to send Venezuela's Caracas Baseball Club into the record books with a 5–4 victory to secure the title.

Family[link]

This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. No cleanup reason has been specified. Please help improve this article if you can; the talk page may contain suggestions. (August 2011)

Aybar is the youngest brother (by 10 months) of former Tampa Bay Rays infield/outfielder Willy Aybar. He is also the cousin of Wil Aybar, who coaches Central Mass Diving and the diving team at The College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Aybar has a wife, Nhachari Aybar.

References[link]

External links[link]

	Biography portal
	Baseball portal
	Dominican Republic portal

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)
• Finale lifts Venezuela to title

Justin Verlander
Verlander warming up before a game.
Detroit Tigers – No. 35
Starting pitcher
Born: (1983-02-20) February 20, 1983 (age 29) Manakin-Sabot, Virginia
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
MLB debut
July 4, 2005 for the Detroit Tigers
Career statistics (through May 29, 2012)
Win–Loss record	112–60
Earned run average	3.48
Strikeouts	1,297
Teams
Detroit Tigers (2005–present)
Career highlights and awards
4× MLB All-Star (2007, 2009, 2010, 2011) AL Rookie of the Year (2006) AL MVP (2011) AL Cy Young Award (2011) Pitched a no-hitter on June 12, 2007 against the Milwaukee Brewers. Pitched a second no-hitter on May 7, 2011 against the Toronto Blue Jays. Led AL in strikeouts (269), innings pitched (240), and tied in wins (19) in 2009. AL pitching Triple Crown (2011) AL TSN Pitcher of the Year (2011) Sporting News Player of the Year (2011) Led AL in strikeouts (250), wins (24), ERA (2.40) and WHIP (0.92) in 2011.

Medal record
Baseball
Competitor for  United States
Pan American Games
Silver	Santo Domingo 2003	Baseball at the 2003 Pan American Games

Justin Brooks Verlander (born February 20, 1983) is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball.

In 2006, he was named the American League Rookie of the Year. On June 12, 2007, he pitched a no-hitter—the first ever at Comerica Park—against the Milwaukee Brewers, striking out 12 batters and walking four.^[1] He pitched a second no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays on May 7, 2011, in Toronto, walking one and facing the minimum 27 batters.^[2] On November 15, 2011, Verlander was named the 2011 AL Cy Young Award winner by a unanimous vote, becoming the first American League pitcher since Johan Santana in 2006 to win the award in such a fashion. On November 21, 2011, Verlander was voted the AL MVP, winning with 280 points over Jacoby Ellsbury's 242, completing a sweep of the Cy Young Award and MVP, a rare feat for a pitcher in the modern era.^[3]

Playing career[link]

Amateur career[link]

His father Richard, who was president of the local Richmond, Virginia chapter of the Communications Workers of America, sent Justin to The Richmond Baseball Academy. Justin clocked 84 mph (135 km/h) shortly after joining the academy. His velocity kept climbing, and hit 86 MPH by the time he entered Goochland High School. He had been a top pitching prospect in high school, but his career suffered a setback when he came down with strep throat early in his senior season of baseball. A weakened Verlander topped out at 81 during that season, causing professional scouts to lose interest.^[4] After he recovered, his velocity reached 87 during his first year at Old Dominion.

Verlander, a 6' 5" 200 pound (1.96 m, 91 kg) right-hander, pitched for the Old Dominion University baseball team for three years. On May 17, 2002, he struck out a then school record 17 batters against James Madison. In 2003, he set a school single-season record by recording 139 strikeouts; in 2004, he broke his own record and established a new Colonial Athletic Association record with 151 strikeouts. Verlander completed his career as the all-time strikeout leader in Old Dominion, the Colonial Athletic Association and the Commonwealth of Virginia (Division I) history with 427 in 335⅔ innings. During his three years, he averaged 11.5 strikeouts per nine innings, and his career collegiate earned run average was 2.57.

Verlander pitched for Team USA in 2003 and helped the USA to a silver medal in the Pan Am Games. He was named CAA Rookie of the Year in 2002 and earned All-CAA honors in 2003 and 2004. Verlander was named the ODU Alumni Association's Male Athlete of the Year in 2004, and was the second overall pick in the 2004 Baseball draft by Detroit.

Minor leagues[link]

Verlander's professional baseball career began when the Detroit Tigers selected him second overall in the 2004 MLB Draft. After lengthy negotiations, he signed a contract on October 25, 2004. Verlander started the 2005 season for the Lakeland Tigers, where he showed surprisingly good control. He was rewarded with a brief appearance in the majors, making his first major league start against the Cleveland Indians on July 4, 2005. After two starts in the majors, he returned to the minor leagues pitching for the Erie SeaWolves, the AA affiliate of the Tigers.

Major leagues[link]

2006[link]

Verlander and his teammates celebrate after the final out of his first no-hitter.

In his first full season, Verlander went 17–9 with a 3.63 ERA, striking out 124 batters in 186 innings. On July 4, 2006, at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland, California, Verlander, Joel Zumaya, and Fernando Rodney each threw multiple fastballs clocked in at over 100 mph (160 km/h), becoming the first time in MLB history that three pitchers, on the same team, had done so during a game. He allowed only one stolen base in 2006 and picked off 7 baserunners. In 2006, he became the first rookie pitcher in the history of the game to win 10 games before the end of June, which eventually led to him being named AL Rookie of the Year at the end of the season. During Game 1 of the 2006 World Series, Verlander was the Tigers' starting pitcher against Anthony Reyes of the St. Louis Cardinals; the first time two rookies faced off to start a World Series.

2007[link]

His success continued in 2007, as he accumulated 18 wins and posted a 3.66 ERA with 183 strikeouts 201⅔ innings. On June 12, Verlander recorded a no-hitter against the Milwaukee Brewers, striking out 12 and hitting 102 MPH on the radar gun.

2008[link]

In 2008, Verlander performed poorly to start the season. He lost 4 consecutive games before winning his first one. He led the A.L. in losses, totaling 17. Overall, he finished the 2008 season with a 11-17 win-loss record and an ERA of 4.84.

2009[link]

His 2009 season proved successful. He finished with a 19–9 record, an ERA of 3.45 and an MLB-leading 269 strikeouts.^[5] Verlander finished third in the AL Cy Young Award voting behind winner Zack Greinke and runner-up Felix Hernandez.

2010[link]

On February 4, 2010, it was announced that Verlander and the Tigers had reached a deal for an $80 million, 5 year contract extension.^[6] On July 3, Verlander earned his 10th win of the season. This marked the fourth time in five years he has had double digit wins before the All-Star break. On September 18 Verlander beat the Chicago White Sox, throwing a complete game to earn his 17th win of the season. With that win he became the first pitcher to win 17 games in 4 of his first 5 seasons since Dwight Gooden.^[7] He would finish 2010 with an 18–9 record and 3.37 ERA.

2011[link]

On April 22, Verlander recorded his 1,000th career strikeout in a 9–3 win over the White Sox, becoming the 15th Tiger to do so.^[8] On May 7, he recorded his second career no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays, throwing four strikeouts, walking one batter and throwing at a maximum speed of 101 MPH on the radar gun. He carried a perfect game into the 8th inning before allowing a walk to J. P. Arencibia, who was the only man to reach base for the game.^[2] Verlander became the second Tigers pitcher since Virgil Trucks, and the thirtieth pitcher in the history of baseball, to throw multiple no-hitters. On his next start, against the Kansas City Royals on May 13, Verlander took a no-hitter into the sixth inning before surrendering a triple. Altogether, he pitched 15⅔ consecutive no-hit innings, spread over three starts.

On June 14, Verlander took a no-hitter into the eighth inning. He pitched 7⅓ innings until he gave up a base hit to Cleveland's Orlando Cabrera. Verlander ended up with a complete game shutout allowing two hits. In his next start on June 19, he threw another complete game allowing a solo home run to Ty Wigginton.^[9] On June 25, he recorded a career-high 14 strikeouts against Arizona.^[10] On July 3, 2011, Verlander was selected to his fourth AL All-Star team, but he was unable to participate in the game due to the scheduling of his starts. On July 31, 2011, Verlander took a no-hitter into the eighth inning before surrendering a single to Maicer Izturis. He walked two and struck out nine. On August 11, Justin won his 100th major league game against the Cleveland Indians. On August 27, he became the first pitcher in the major leagues to attain 20 wins in the current season. The victory also made Verlander the first Tiger since Bill Gullickson in 1991 to win 20 games, and the first major leaguer since Curt Schilling in 2002 to reach 20 wins before the end of August.^[11]

By the end of the season, Verlander had won the Triple Crown of pitching in the AL, leading the league in wins (24), strikeouts (250; tied for 6th-most in Tigers history), and ERA (2.40).^[12] Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw clinched the NL Triple Crown earlier in the week, making it the first since 1924 that a season featured a Triple Crown pitcher in both leagues. Verlander also led the AL in innings pitched (251), win-loss percentage (.828; 6th-best in Tigers history), and in errors committed by a pitcher (5).^[13] Throughout the season, he never had an outing in which he threw fewer than 6 innings or 100 pitches. Through 2011, Verlander had the best career strikeouts-per-9-innings-pitched percentage in Tigers' history (8.3), and the second-best career win-loss percentage (.652; also the fourth-best percentage of all active pitchers).^[13][14]

Verlander received various awards for his play in 2011. Those awards included the AL TSN Pitcher of the Year, The Sporting News Player of the Year Award, a Players Choice Award for Player the Year and Most Outstanding American League pitcher, and a USA Today American League Cy Young.

On November 3, 2011, Verlander was named the cover athlete of Major League Baseball 2K12.^[15]

On November 15, the Baseball Writers Association of America announced that Verlander had unanimously won the 2011 AL Cy Young Award.^[16]

On November 21, 2011, it was announced that Verlander had also won the AL MVP Award, a rarity for a pitcher, in a much closer vote. Verlander edged out Boston's Jacoby Ellsbury, 280 points to 242 points, while collecting 13 of 28 first-place votes.^[17] He became the first pitcher to claim an AL MVP Award since Dennis Eckersley in 1992, the first starting pitcher to do so since Roger Clemens in 1986, and the third Tiger to do so in franchise history (joining Denny McLain and Hal Newhouser).

2012[link]

On May 18, Verlander took a no-hitter into the ninth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates before giving up a one-out single in a 6-0 victory. It was his first-career complete game one-hitter, his 16th complete game overall, and sixth career shutout. Verlander, who struck out 12 in the game, was hitting the upper-90s and even 100 mph into the eighth inning.^[18]

Pitch repertoire[link]

He features two fastballs: a four-seamer in the high-90s (which routinely pushes and occasionally eclipses 100 MPH) and a two-seamer in the low- to mid-90s with good arm-side run. He also throws a 12–6 curveball in the 78–83 mph range, a circle changeup in the low to mid-80s, and a slider which he throws 83–89 mph. Observers frequently note that Verlander's fastball regularly registers in the high-90s, and the velocity of the pitch remains relatively uniform throughout the course of a game. Many attribute Verlander's success to his outstanding endurance.^[19]

Awards and accolades[link]

See also[link]

	Biography portal
	Baseball portal

• List of Major League Baseball strikeout champions
• List of Major League Baseball wins champions
• List of Major League Baseball no-hitters

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Justin Verlander

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)

Ryan Roberts
Arizona Diamondbacks – No. 14
Third baseman/Second baseman
Born: (1980-09-19) September 19, 1980 (age 31)
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
MLB debut
July 30, 2006 for the Toronto Blue Jays
Career statistics (through 2011)
Batting average	.250
Home runs	29
Runs batted in	100
Teams
Toronto Blue Jays (2006–2007) Texas Rangers (2008) Arizona Diamondbacks (2009–present)

Ryan Alan Roberts (born September 19, 1980, in Fort Worth, Texas), nicknamed "Tatman"^[1], is a Major League Baseball infielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks. A right-handed batter, Roberts is 5' 11" tall and weighs 190 pounds. He is married to actress Kim Camille. Roberts has over 30 tattoos.^[2]

College career[link]

After graduating from L. D. Bell High School, Roberts' team won an NJCAA Division III World Series his sophomore year at Eastfield Junior College in Mesquite, Texas. Roberts was an All-American with a .475 batting average, 17 home runs, and 73 RBIs, and was named a MAC All-Conference and All-American Selection at shortstop. Roberts transferred to the University of Texas at Arlington. After his senior year in 2003, he was named Southland Conference Player of the Year and Hitter of the Year.^[3] He was among the conference leaders in eight different offensive categories, was first-team all-SLC as a third baseman, and was also named to several All-America teams. In 2003, Baseball America analyst John Manuel described Roberts as the best player on UTA's squad which also included Hunter Pence now with the Philadelphia Phillies.^[4]

Professional career[link]

Toronto Blue Jays[link]

The Toronto Blue Jays selected Roberts with the 530th overall pick of the 2003 draft, in the 18th round. Roberts signed with the Blue Jays and made his professional debut in the New York-Penn League. In 2003, after Roberts had been drafted, Manuel described him in an online chat as an "interesting sleeper", and said that "his best tool is his bat".^[5]

He was named to the 2005 Eastern League All-Star team.^[6] The Blue Jays allocated Roberts to the Arizona Fall League that off-season,^[7] and on November 18 of that year, they purchased his contract from the New Hampshire Fisher Cats and added him to their 40-man roster.^[8]

Roberts began the 2006 season in Triple-A Syracuse before being called up to the 25-man Toronto Blue Jays roster. On August 3, 2006, Roberts hit a solo home run in Yankee Stadium, his first hit in a Major League Baseball game.

In 2007 Roberts batted .249 in AAA, and then went 1–13 in the major leagues. After the 2007 season, Roberts' was released by the Blue Jays.

Texas Rangers[link]

Roberts signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers on November 21, 2007, with an invitation to spring training.

Arizona Diamondbacks[link]

In November 2008, Roberts signed a minor league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He made the opening day roster for the first time in his career. He has played mostly as a utility player during the 2009 season with the Diamondbacks.

Through June 13, 2009, Roberts had a .274 batting average in the minor leagues, and a .243 batting average in the major leagues in 111 at bats.

When the Diamondbacks traded second baseman Felipe López on July 20, 2009, Ryan Roberts was named the Diamondbacks everyday second baseman.In the 2009 season, Roberts hit .279 with 8 home runs and 25 RBI, while playing at second base for 57 games, third base for 19 games, and left field for 16 games.^[9]

In game 4 of the NLDS against the Brewers, Roberts hit a two-out grand slam in the first inning to help keep the Diamondbacks alive in the postseason. This home run came only a week after Roberts' first career grand slam, a game-winning "ultimate grand slam" capping a dramatic 10th inning rally to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-6, as well as a day after teammate Paul Goldschmidt hit a grand slam in game 3 of the NLDS.

See also[link]

Baseball portal

• List of players with a home run in first major league at bat

References[link]

External links[link]

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)

Derek Jeter
Jeter batting for the Yankees against the Orioles in 2008.
New York Yankees – No. 2
Shortstop
Born: (1974-06-26) June 26, 1974 (age 38) Pequannock Township, New Jersey
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
MLB debut
May 29, 1995 for the New York Yankees
Career statistics (through May 27, 2012)
Batting average	.313
On-base percentage	.383
Hits	3,155
Runs	1,795
Home runs	245
Runs batted in	1,214
Teams
New York Yankees (1995–present)
Career highlights and awards
12× All-Star (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011) 5× World Series champion (1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2009) 5× Gold Glove Award (2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010) 4× Silver Slugger Award (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009) 2× AL Hank Aaron Award (2006, 2009) AL Rookie of the Year Award (1996) All-Star Game MVP Award (2000) World Series MVP Award (2000) Roberto Clemente Award (2000) New York Yankees team captain (2003–present) New York Yankees career hits record New York Yankees career stolen bases record

Derek Sanderson Jeter ( /ˈdʒiːtər/; born June 26, 1974) is an American baseball shortstop who has played 18 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees. A five-time World Series champion, Jeter has been a central figure of the Yankees during their success of the 1990s and 2000s due to his clubhouse presence, on-field leadership, hitting ability, and baserunning.^[1] He is the Yankees' all-time career leader in hits (3,155), games played (2,472), stolen bases (342), and at bats (10,066). His accolades include twelve All-Star selections, five Gold Glove Awards, four Silver Slugger Awards, two Hank Aaron Awards, and the Roberto Clemente Award. Jeter is the all-time MLB leader in hits by a shortstop,^[1][2] and the 28th player to reach 3,000 hits.

The Yankees drafted Jeter out of high school in 1992, and he debuted in the major leagues in 1995. The following year, he became the Yankees' starting shortstop, won the Rookie of the Year Award, and helped the team win the 1996 World Series. Jeter continued to contribute during the team's championship seasons of 1998–2000; he finished third in voting for the American League (AL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award in 1998, recorded multiple career-high numbers in 1999, and won both the All-Star Game MVP and World Series MVP Awards in 2000. He has consistently placed among the AL leaders in hits and runs scored for the past ten years, and since 2003 has served as the Yankees' team captain.^[3]

Throughout his career, Jeter has contributed reliably to the Yankees' franchise successes in the postseason. He holds many postseason records, and has a .351 batting average in the World Series. Jeter has earned the titles of "Captain Clutch" and "Mr. November" due to his postseason heroics.^[4][5]

Jeter has been one of the most heavily marketed athletes of his generation and is involved in several product endorsements. His personal life and relationships with celebrities have drawn the attention of the media throughout his career. Teammates and opponents alike regard Jeter as a consummate professional and one of the best players of his generation.^[6][7] Sportswriters anticipate that Jeter will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame following his playing career.^[8][9]

Early life[link]

Jeter was born in Pequannock, New Jersey on June 26, 1974. His father, Sanderson Charles Jeter, Ph.D., a substance abuse counselor, is African American; his mother, Dorothy, an accountant, is Caucasian and of Irish/German descent.^[10] They met while serving in the United States Army in Germany.^[11] As a child, Jeter's parents made him sign a contract every year that set acceptable and unacceptable forms of behavior.^[12] Dorothy instilled a positive attitude in her son, insisting that he not use the word "can't".^[13] Jeter's sister Sharlee, who is five years younger, was a softball star in high school,^[11] while his father played baseball at Fisk University in Tennessee at the shortstop position.^[14]

Jeter with his boyhood idol Dave Winfield at Dodger Stadium, June 2010.

The Jeters lived in North Arlington, New Jersey until Derek was four years old, at which point they moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan.^[1] Derek and Sharlee lived in Kalamazoo with their parents during the school year and spent their summers with their grandparents in New Jersey. Attending New York Yankees games with his grandparents, Jeter became a passionate fan of the team.^[1][14] Watching Yankees player Dave Winfield inspired him to pursue baseball.^[15]

High school[link]

Jeter attended Kalamazoo Central High School, where he played baseball and basketball. In his sophomore year at Kalamazoo Central, Jeter batted .557, followed by a .508 average in his junior year.^[1] In his senior year, he batted .508 and compiled 23 runs batted in (RBI), 21 walks, four home runs, a .637 on-base percentage (OBP), a .831 slugging percentage (SLG), 12 stolen bases (in 12 attempts), and just one strikeout.^[1]

Jeter received several honors after his senior season. These included an All-State honorable mention, distinguishing him as one of the best high school baseball players in Michigan, the Kalamazoo Area B'nai B'rith Award for Scholar Athlete, the 1992 High School Player of the Year Award from the American Baseball Coaches Association, the 1992 Gatorade High School Player of the Year award, and USA Today's High School Player of the Year.^[1][2] Kalamazoo Central High School inducted Jeter into its Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003^[16] and renamed its baseball field in his honor in 2011.^[17] Jeter's baseball talents drew the attention of the University of Michigan, which offered him a baseball scholarship to attend and play college baseball for the Michigan Wolverines baseball team.^[18]

Professional career[link]

Draft[link]

As a scout for the Houston Astros, Hal Newhouser evaluated Jeter extensively prior to the 1992 MLB Draft. The Astros held the first overall pick in the draft, and Newhouser, convinced that Jeter would anchor a winning team, lobbied team management to select Jeter.^[18] However, the Astros feared that Jeter would insist on a salary bonus of at least $1 million to forgo his college scholarship for a professional contract.^[18] Consequently, the Astros passed on him in the draft, instead choosing Cal-State Fullerton outfielder Phil Nevin, who signed with Houston for $700,000.^[18] Newhouser felt so strongly about Jeter's potential that he quit his job with Astros in protest after they ignored his drafting advice.^[19]

The Yankees, who selected sixth, also rated Jeter highly.^[20] Yankees scout Dick Groch, assigned to scout in the Midwest, watched Jeter participate in an all-star camp held at Western Michigan University.^[21] Though Yankees officials were concerned that Jeter would attend college, Groch convinced them to select him. Regarding the possibility Jeter would attend Michigan, Groch said "the only place Derek Jeter's going is to Cooperstown", referring to the home city of the Baseball Hall of Fame.^[22] The second through fifth picks were Paul Shuey, B. J. Wallace, Jeffrey Hammonds, and Chad Mottola.^[23] The Yankees selected Jeter, who chose to turn professional and signed with the Yankees for $800,000.^[24]

Minor leagues (1992–1995)[link]

Jeter played four seasons in minor league baseball, then known as the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues (NAPBL). Jeter began the 1992 season with the Gulf Coast Yankees of the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, based in Tampa, Florida. In his first professional game, Jeter batted 0-for-7 with five strikeouts.^[25] Jeter struggled, batting .202 in 47 games.^[18][25] Manager Gary Denbo benched Jeter in the season's final game to ensure his average would not drop below .200, known in baseball as the Mendoza Line.^[26] In addition to being frustrated with his play, Jeter was homesick, accruing $400-per-month phone bills from daily calls to his parents.^[24][25]

The Yankees promoted Jeter to the Greensboro Hornets of the Class A South Atlantic League (SAL) to allow him more at-bats.^[25] He batted .247 in his first 11 games with Greensboro, making nine errors in 48 chances.^[25] Weighing 156 pounds (71 kg), he did not have the appearance of the Yankees' future leader.^[24] Jorge Posada and Andy Pettitte, who played for the Hornets that season and, with Jeter and Mariano Rivera, would form the Yankees' Core Four, at first questioned the hype surrounding Jeter, but recognized his talent and poise.^[25]

Jeter spent the next offseason focusing on improving his fielding.^[18][26] Baseball America ranked Jeter as the 44th-best prospect in baseball prior to the 1993 season.^[28] Returning to the Hornets in 1993, his first full season of professional baseball, he was voted the "Most Outstanding Major League Prospect" by SAL managers after hitting .295 with five home runs, 71 RBI and 18 stolen bases.^[29] He was named to the All-Star team after finishing second in the league in triples (11), third in hits (152) and 11th in batting average. However, Jeter committed 56 errors, a SAL record.^[26] Despite this, he was voted the SAL's Best Defensive Shortstop, Most Exciting Player, and Best Infield Arm by Baseball America.^[2][30]

Coming off of his strong 1993 season, Baseball America rated Jeter as the 16th-best prospect in baseball.^[28] Jeter played for the Tampa Yankees of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League (FSL), the Albany-Colonie Yankees of the Class AA Eastern League, and the Columbus Clippers of the Class AAA International League during the 1994 season,^[31] hitting .344 with five home runs, 68 RBI, and 50 stolen bases combined. He was honored with the Minor League Player of the Year Award by Baseball America, The Sporting News, USA Today, and Topps/NAPBL.^[2][18] He was also named the most valuable player of the FSL.^[2]

Considered the fourth-best prospect in baseball by Baseball America heading into the 1995 season,^[28] the Yankees projected Jeter as their starting shortstop. However, he suffered mild inflammation in his right shoulder in the Arizona Fall League after the conclusion of the 1994 regular season, and as a precaution, the Yankees signed Tony Fernández to a two-year contract. With Fernández the starting shorstop, the Yankees assigned Jeter to Class AAA.^[32] During MLB's 1994–95 work stoppage, the Yankees reportedly offered Jeter the opportunity to work out for the MLB team with replacement players in spring training prior to the 1995 season. Jeter declined, choosing not to cross the picket line.^[32]

Major leagues (1995–present)[link]

1995–1998[link]

Due to injuries to Fernández and Pat Kelly early in the 1995 season, Jeter made his MLB debut on May 29, 1995.^[33] The following day, he collected his first two major league hits and scored his first two career runs.^[34] Jeter batted .234 and committed two errors in 13 games before being demoted to Class AAA Columbus.^[35]

Jeter tagging out Miguel Tejada

After Fernández batted a disappointing .245 and appeared in only 108 games due to injuries that season, incoming Yankees manager Joe Torre asserted that Jeter would be the starting shortstop for the 1996 season.^[36][37] However, Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, often skeptical of younger players, was not convinced. Clyde King, a close Steinbrenner advisor, observed Jeter for two days in spring training in 1996, and came away with the impression that Jeter was not yet ready.^[38] To solidify the shortstop position after an injury to Fernández, Steinbrenner approved a trade that would have sent pitcher Mariano Rivera to the Seattle Mariners for shortstop Félix Fermín, but vice president of scouting Gene Michael and assistant general manager Brian Cashman convinced Steinbrenner to give Jeter an opportunity.^[39]

Rated the sixth best prospect in baseball by Baseball America heading into the 1996 season,^[28] the Yankees started Jeter at shortstop on Opening Day, the first Yankee rookie to do so since Tom Tresh in 1962.^[1] He hit his first MLB home run that day. Jeter had a successful rookie season, winning Rookie of the Year honors after hitting for a .314 batting average, with 10 home runs, 104 runs scored, and 78 RBI.^[40]

The Yankees made the 1996 postseason. During Game 1 of the 1996 American League Championship Series (ALCS), with the Yankees trailing the Baltimore Orioles 4–3 in the 8th inning, Jeter hit a fly ball to right field that was ruled a home run by the umpires after twelve-year-old fan Jeffrey Maier reached over the wall to catch the ball. Right fielder Tony Tarasco claimed that he could have made the catch were it not for fan interference. Despite Tarasco's pleas with the umpires, the home run stood as called, tying the game. It marked the first home run of Jeter's postseason career. The Yankees won the game and defeated the Orioles in five games.^[41] Overall, Jeter batted .361 in the 1996 postseason,^[40] and the Yankees defeated the Atlanta Braves in the 1996 World Series to win their first championship since the 1978 World Series.^[42]

Coming off of his Rookie of the Year campaign, Jeter headlined a group considered the "new crop" of shortstops, along with Alex Rodriguez and Nomar Garciaparra, as the careers of older shortstops such as Cal Ripken, Jr., Barry Larkin, Ozzie Smith and Alan Trammell were concluding.^[43] Prior to the 1997 season, Jeter and the Yankees agreed on a $540,000 contract with performance bonuses.^[44] That year, Jeter batted .291, with 10 home runs, 70 RBI, 116 runs, and 190 hits.^[40] Though he hit two home runs during the 1997 American League Division Series (ALDS), the Yankees lost to the Cleveland Indians 4 games to 2.^[45]

Jeter earned $750,000 for the 1998 season.^[46] That year, Jeter was selected for his first All-Star Game. On the season, he batted .324 with a league-leading 127 runs, 19 home runs, and 84 RBI,^[40] for a team that won 114 games during the regular season and is widely considered to be one of the greatest of all time.^[47][48] In the playoffs, Jeter hit only .176 in the ALDS and ALCS, but batted .353 in the World Series, as the Yankees defeated the San Diego Padres in four games.^[49] At season's end, Jeter finished third in voting for the AL Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award.^[50]

1999–2002[link]

Jeter and the Yankees went to salary arbitration before the 1999 season; the arbiter awarded Jeter a $5 million salary.^[51] Jeter led the AL in hits that season with 219, while finishing second in the league in batting average (.349) and runs scored (134), appearing in his second All-Star game in the process.^[40] Jeter, who for part of the year hit third in the batting order, also drove in 102 runs, becoming only the second Yankee shortstop to do so, following Lyn Lary's 107 RBI in 1931.^[40] His season totals in batting average, runs, hits, runs batted in, doubles (37), triples (9), home runs (24), SLG (.552), and OBP (.438) are all personal bests.^[40] In the postseason, Jeter batted .455 in the ALDS, .350 in the ALCS, and .353 in the World Series,^[40] as the Yankees defeated the Braves to win another championship, Jeter's third.^[52]

During the 1999–2000 offseason, the Yankees negotiated with Jeter, tentatively agreeing to a seven-year, $118.5 million contract.^[53] Steinbrenner did not want to set a salary record and delayed a response while Juan González and the Detroit Tigers negotiated on a reported eight-year, $143 million contract extension. When that agreement fell through, so did Jeter's tentative deal. To avoid arbitration, Jeter and the Yankees agreed to a one-year deal worth $10 million.^[53][54]

Jeter connects for a hit against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Jeter batted .339, leading the team, with 15 home runs, 73 RBI, 119 runs scored, and 22 stolen bases in the 2000 regular season.^[40][53] Jeter recorded three hits, including a go-ahead two-run single, in the 2000 MLB All-Star Game. The performance earned him the All-Star Game MVP Award, the first time a Yankee won the award.^[55] During the postseason, he batted only .211 in the Division Series but rebounded to hit .318 in the Championship Series against the Seattle Mariners, and .409 in the World Series against the New York Mets.^[40] Jeter added two home runs, a triple, and two doubles in the World Series, including a leadoff home run on the first pitch of Game 4 and a triple later in the third inning.^[56] His home run in Game 5 tied the game and extended his World Series hitting streak to 14 games.^[57] The Yankees defeated the Mets in five games for their third consecutive title, and Jeter's fourth championship overall.^[58] Jeter won the World Series MVP Award, becoming the only player to win the All-Star Game MVP and World Series MVP Awards in the same season.^[59]

With one year remaining until he would become eligible for free agency, Jeter signed a ten-year, $189 million contract before the 2001 season to remain with the Yankees.^[53] Rodriguez signed a ten-year $252 million contract earlier in the offseason, setting the market for Jeter's negotiations. Jeter became the second-highest-paid athlete, trailing only Rodriguez. The $18.9 million average annual value of Jeter's contract was the third highest in baseball, behind Rodriguez ($25.2 million) and Manny Ramirez ($20 million).^[53]

In 2001, Jeter batted .311, with 21 home runs, 74 RBI, 110 runs scored, and 27 stolen bases, making his fourth All-Star appearance.^[40] Jeter made a notable defensive play in Game 3 of the 2001 American League Division Series against the Oakland Athletics. With Jeremy Giambi on first base, Oakland right fielder Terrence Long hit a double off Yankees pitcher Mike Mussina into the right-field corner. As Giambi rounded third base and headed for home plate, Yankees right fielder Shane Spencer retrieved the ball and made a wild throw that missed cut-off man Tino Martinez and dribbled down the first-base line. Jeter ran from shortstop to grab the ball and flipped it to catcher Jorge Posada, who tagged Giambi out on the leg just before he crossed home plate, preserving the Yankees' one-run lead. Facing elimination, the Yankees eventually won the game, as well as the series. The play, known as "The Flip",^[1] was later voted seventh in Baseball Weekly's 10 Most Amazing Plays of all time,^[60] and won the 2002 Best Play ESPY Award.^[61]

As a result of the September 11 terrorist attacks, the start of the playoffs was delayed and the season's end was extended past the usual October timeframe. The Yankees advanced to the 2001 World Series to face the Arizona Diamondbacks. Game 4, which began on October 31, proceeded into the tenth inning with the score tied 3–3. At midnight, the Yankee Stadium scoreboard displayed the message, "Attention Fans, Welcome to NOVEMBER BASEBALL." This was the first time that any non-exhibition MLB game had been played in the month of November.^[1] Moments later, Jeter hit a game-winning home run off of Byung-Hyun Kim. The words "Mr. November" flashed on the scoreboard, in reference to former Yankee Reggie Jackson's nickname, "Mr. October".^[1] Despite Jeter's highlight moments that postseason, Jeter slumped at the plate; he denied injuries were a factor, though a fall into a photographer's box trying to catch a foul ball may have aggravated an earlier hamstring injury.^[63] Jeter batted .148 in the World Series, as the Yankees lost in seven games.^[64]

Jeter batted .297, with 18 home runs, 75 RBI, 124 runs scored, 191 hits, and a career-best 32 stolen bases during the 2002 regular season. He led the majors in stolen base percentage (91.4%), getting caught only three times. He made his fifth All-Star appearance.^[40] In the 2002 postseason, the Anaheim Angels defeated the Yankees in the ALDS on their way to winning the World Series.^[65]

2003–2008[link]

On Opening Day of the 2003 season, Jeter dislocated his left shoulder when he collided with Blue Jays catcher Ken Huckaby at third base.^[66] He was placed on the disabled list for six weeks and missed 36 games, having never played fewer than 148 games in the prior seven full seasons.^[67] Jeter returned to bat .324, finishing third in batting average to Bill Mueller, who batted .326. Ramirez finished second.^[68][69]

Steinbrenner named Jeter the 11th recognized captain in Yankees history on June 3, 2003, following eight seasons without a captain after Don Mattingly retired in 1995.^[3] That postseason, Jeter batted .314 with two home runs, five RBI and 10 runs scored across 17 playoff games,^[69] including three hits in Game 3 of the 2003 World Series against the Florida Marlins – the only three hits Josh Beckett allowed during the game – to lead the Yankees to a 2 games to 1 series lead.^[70] However, Jeter went 0-for-4 with a crucial error in a Game 6 loss, and the Marlins won the series in six games.^[69]

The Yankees acquired Rodriguez from the Texas Rangers during the 2003–04 offseason, leading to speculation that the Yankees would move Jeter from shortstop, as Rodriguez had two Gold Glove Awards at shortstop and Jeter had none. The Yankees insisted that Jeter would remain the team's starting shortstop, with Rodriguez moving to third base.^[71] The 2004 season began with Jeter mired in a slump, at one point getting only one hit in a span of 36 at-bats; through April, he batted .168. However, his batting average improved to .277 by the All-Star break in July.^[72]

During a July 1, 2004 game against the rival Boston Red Sox, with the score tied at 3 in the top of the 12th inning, the Red Sox had runners on second and third with 2 outs and right fielder Trot Nixon up at bat. Nixon hit a pop fly down the left field line. Jeter ran from his position at shortstop and made an over-the-shoulder catch. He launched himself over the third-base side railing, landing three rows into the left-field seats, and lacerating his chin and bruising his face in the process. Jeter was later taken out of the game. This catch ended the inning, and later the Yankees went on to win the game in the bottom of the 13th inning.^[73] For the play, Jeter was awarded Play Of The Year in the This Year In Baseball awards competition, as voted on by fans at MLB.com.^[74]

Jeter prepares to bat at Oriole Park in 2007.

Jeter made the All-Star team and finished the season with a .292 average; 23 home runs, the second-most of his career; 78 RBI; 111 runs scored; and a career-best 44 doubles, which broke a Yankee single-season record for doubles by a shortstop, besting Tony Kubek's 38 in 1961.^[40][75] He batted .316 with a team-leading four RBI as the Yankees defeated the Minnesota Twins in the 2004 ALDS, and were poised to face the Red Sox in the 2004 ALCS.^[76] However, Jeter struggled, batting .200 with one extra-base hit, as the Yankees lost the series to the Red Sox in seven games, despite winning the first three games.^[77] Following the 2004 season, Jeter was presented with his first Gold Glove Award.^[78]

Jeter hit his first and only grand slam, after 10 years in MLB, on June 18, 2005 against the Chicago Cubs. At one point, Jeter had the most at bats of any active player not to have hit a grand slam.^[79] Jeter was second in the AL in runs scored (122) in the 2005 season,^[80] and was third in the league in both at bats (654) and hits (202). Jeter won his second consecutive Gold Glove in 2005.^[81] Though Jeter batted .333 during the 2005 ALDS, the Yankees lost to the Angels.^[82]

Without center fielder Bernie Williams, Torre reportedly considered moving Jeter or Rodriguez to center field in 2006.^[83] Instead, the Yankees signed Johnny Damon to play center field and lead off, with Jeter batting second in the lineup.^[84] During the 2006 season, Jeter recorded his 2,000th career hit on May 26, becoming the eighth Yankee to reach the milestone.^[85] Jeter finished the season second in the AL in both batting average (.343) and runs scored (118), third in hits (214), stolen base success percentage (87.2), and batting average with runners in scoring position (.381), fourth in OBP (.417), and fifth in infield hits (26), earning his seventh All-Star selection.^[40][86][87] Jeter batted .500 with one home run in the 2006 ALDS, including a 5-for-5 performance in Game 1, making him the sixth player to record five hits in one postseason game.^[88] However, the Yankees lost to the Detroit Tigers, 3 games to 1.^[82]

Jeter finished second in the 2006 AL MVP Award voting to Justin Morneau of the Twins (320 points to 306 points).^[89] It was his sixth top-10 finish in the MVP balloting in 11 full seasons through 2006.^[40] Though he lost the MVP Award, he won the Hank Aaron Award, given for superior offensive performance.^[86]

Jeter finished the 2007 season third in the AL with 203 hits, his third consecutive, and sixth overall season with at least 200 hits. He also finished fourth in both at-bats (639) and plate appearances (714), sixth in times on base (276), and ninth in batting average (.322).^[90] He was selected for his eighth All-Star appearance.^[40] In the field, he was involved in turning a career-high 104 double plays.^[40] However, he struggled during the 2007 ALDS, batting 3-for-17 (.176) with one RBI, as the Indians defeated the Yankees.^[82]

Jeter's slugging percentage (SLG) dropped to .410 in the 2008 season, his lowest mark since 1997.^[40] One possible cause was a prolonged slump that he suffered after being hit by a pitch on his wrist.^[91] Before the injury, Jeter was hitting .324 with a .774 on-base plus slugging (OPS). After the injury, his batting average dipped to as low as .269 by the end of the month.^[40] His offense took an upward turn after May as he hit .322 with a .824 OPS after June 1.^[40] Jeter was elected to his ninth All-Star game as the starting shortstop.^[92]

Jeter tied Lou Gehrig's record for hits at Yankee Stadium (1,269) with a home run off Tampa Bay Rays pitcher David Price on September 14, 2008.^[93] On September 16, he broke the record against Chicago White Sox pitcher Gavin Floyd.^[94] Despite Jeter's strong September showing, the Yankees were eliminated from postseason contention,^[95] the only full season in Jeter's career where he did not compete in the playoffs. Following the final game in Yankee Stadium history, Jeter made an impromptu on-field speech, thanking the Yankees fans for their support and asking them to pass on their memories from the venue while making new memories at the new Yankee Stadium.^[96]

2009–present[link]

Jeter saluting the crowd after becoming the all-time Yankees hits leader.

For the 2009 season, Yankees manager Joe Girardi switched Jeter and Damon in the batting order, with Damon moving to second and Jeter to the leadoff role, based on the rationale that Jeter had a higher OBP than Damon, but grounded into double plays more often.^[97] Jeter batted .334, third best in the AL, with a .406 OBP, 18 home runs, 30 stolen bases in 35 attempts, 107 runs scored, and 212 hits (second in MLB).^[40] During the season, the Sporting News named Jeter eighth on their list of the 50 greatest current players in baseball.^[98]

Jeter achieved two career hit milestones in the second half of the 2009 season. On August 16, 2009, against the Seattle Mariners, Jeter doubled down the right-field line for his 2,675th hit as a shortstop, breaking Luis Aparicio's previous record for the most hits by a shortstop in major league history.^[99] Then, Jeter became the all-time hits leader as a member of the Yankees (2,722), passing Lou Gehrig on September 11, 2009. The hit was a single off Baltimore Orioles pitcher Chris Tillman in the third inning.^[100]

In the 2009 postseason, Jeter batted .355, including .407 in the 2009 World Series,^[40] as he won his fifth World Series championship. He was named Sportsman of the Year for 2009 by Sports Illustrated.^[101] Jeter also finished third in the AL MVP voting, behind Minnesota's Joe Mauer and teammate Mark Teixeira.^[102]

The 2010 season was statistically Jeter's worst in many respects.^[103] The Yankee captain batted .270 with a .340 OBP and .370 SLG and an Adjusted OPS of 90, his first full season with an OPS+ below 100. Despite this, Jeter was elected to start at shortstop in the All-Star Game.^[104] He rebounded to bat .342 in his last 79 at-bats after making adjustments to his swing.^[105] Following the season, Jeter won his fifth Gold Glove award.^[106] He committed six errors during the season, his lowest total in 15 full seasons.^[107]

After the 2010 season, Jeter became a free agent for the first time in his career. He reached an agreement with the Yankees on a three-year contract with an option for a fourth year.^[108][109] Jeter spent the offseason continuing to make adjustments in his swing.^[110]

Jeter began the 2011 season batting .260 with a .649 OPS.^[111] He broke Rickey Henderson's franchise record for stolen bases when he stole his 327th base against the Mariners on May 28, 2011.^[112] Jeter suffered a calf injury on June 13 that required his fifth career 15-day disabled list stint, and his first since 2003.^[113][114] Rehabilitating from his injury in Tampa, Jeter worked on his swing with Denbo.^[115][116] Following his activation from the disabled list, he hit .326 with an .806 OPS in his last 64 games of the season.^[111] Jeter finished the year with a .297 batting average, 6 home runs, 61 runs batted in, 84 runs, and 16 stolen bases.^[40] He credited the turnaround to his work with Denbo.^[115]

Jeter crosses home plate after recording his 3000th hit, his teammates waiting to congratulate him.

Jeter recorded his 3,000th career hit, a home run in the third inning of an afternoon game against David Price of the Tampa Bay Rays on July 9, 2011. Jeter finished the day with five hits in five at bats, the second player to have five hits on the day he achieved his 3,000th hit (the first was Craig Biggio).^[117] The last of Jeter's five hits proved to be the game-winning hit. He is the only member of the 3,000 hit club to record all of his hits with the New York Yankees, the only player to record his 3,000th hit as a Yankee, and one of only two players (the other being Wade Boggs) to hit a home run for his 3,000th hit.^[118] Jeter became the second player to reach 3,000 career hits while still a regular shortstop (the first was Honus Wagner).^{[119][120][a]} Only Ty Cobb, Hank Aaron and Robin Yount were younger than Jeter on the day of their 3,000th hit.^[119] MLB and HBO produced Deter Jeter 3K, a documentary that profiles his path to 3,000 hits, which originally aired on July 28, 2011.^[123]

Jeter finished the 2011 season with 162 hits, his 16th consecutive season with 150 hits, which tied him with Pete Rose for the second most consecutive 150 hit seasons, one behind Hank Aaron for the MLB record.^[124] Jeter was honored with the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award, given in recognition of charitable endeavors.^[125]

Despite concerns that Jeter's age might catch up to him in 2012, the beginning of the 2012 season saw Jeter on a hot streak: he batted .411 through April 23.^[126] Rodriguez commented that Jeter is playing as he did in 1999, while Girardi said Jeter looks like he is 25 years old.^[127]

World Baseball Classic[link]

Jeter started at shortstop for the United States national baseball team in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. He hit 9-for-20 (.450) and scored five runs in six games. Only Ken Griffey, Jr. (.524) and Yoandy Garlobo (.480) had a higher batting average with a minimum of 20 at bats.^[128] Jeter's play earned him recognition as the shortstop selection on the All-Tournament Team.^[129]

In the 2009 World Baseball Classic, Jeter again started at shortstop. He was named captain of the United States team by manager Davey Johnson,^[130] and he batted 8-for-29 (.276) in eight games.^[131] Jeter and the United States team faced the Yankees at Steinbrenner Field in an exhibition game, the first and only time Jeter played against the Yankees.^[132]

Player profile[link]

Jeter is considered to be one of the most consistent baseball players of all time. Jeter has only played fewer than 148 games a season once in his career, when he dislocated his left shoulder on Opening Day 2003. He has an average of 194 hits, 118 runs scored and 23 stolen bases per year over the course of 152 games played.^[133]

An aggressive hitter, Jeter swings at most pitches in the strike zone, and many near it.^[18] Though right-handed hitters often pull the ball into left field, Jeter's signature inside-out swing, also called the "Jeterian Swing",^[135] results in a large portion of hits to center and right field, a trend that has remained consistent throughout his career. He has more home runs to the opposite field than to center or to left, using his swing to take advantage of the short right-field fences at both the old and new Yankee Stadiums.^[136] His swing enables him to get hits even when he is slumping.^[18]

Jeter is also known for his professionalism. In an age where professional athletes often find themselves in personal scandals, Jeter has avoided major controversy in a high profile career in New York City while maintaining a strong work ethic.^{[6][9][12][137]} Due to his style of play, opponents and teammates hold Jeter in high esteem.^[6][134] Always respectful, he referred to Torre as "Mr. Torre".^[46] A clubhouse leader, Jeter diffuses confrontations between teammates.^[6]

Postseason performance[link]

Jeter is noted for his postseason performances, and has earned the titles of "Captain Clutch", and "Mr. November" due to his postseason heroics.^{[4][5][138][139]} He has a career .309 postseason batting average, and a .351 batting average in the World Series. Except for 2008, the Yankees have been to the postseason every year since Jeter joined the team. Jeter holds MLB postseason records for games played (152), plate appearances (679), at-bats (559), hits (191), doubles (31), runs scored (107), total bases (290) and strikeouts (125). Jeter is also third in triples (4), third in home runs (20), fourth in runs batted in (59), fifth in base on balls (64) and sixth stolen bases (18).^[40]

Defense[link]

Jeter practices fielding in August 2011

Jeter has won five Gold Glove Awards. Despite this, Jeter's defense has been the subject of criticism from a number of sabermetricians, including Rob Neyer and the publication Baseball Prospectus.^{[140][141][142]} The book The Fielding Bible by John Dewan contains an essay by Bill James in which he concludes that Jeter "was probably the most ineffective defensive player in the major leagues, at any position."^[143] A 2008 study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that, from 2002 through 2005, Jeter was the worst defensive shortstop in MLB.^[144] Two sites that rely on advanced defensive statistics, FanGraphs.com and FieldingBible.com, rated Jeter below middle-of-the-pack status in 2010, despite his receiving his fifth Gold Glove Award that season.^[145][146]

Jeter committed 18 errors in 2007, his highest total since finishing with 24 in 2000.^[147] After the season, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman and his staff saw Jeter's defense as an area that needed to be addressed.^[148] At the Yankees' request, Jeter embarked on a rigorous training program to combat the effects of age, by focusing on lateral movement and first-step quickness.^[149] Jeter's ultimate zone rating (UZR) improved from worst in the AL for shortstops in 2007 to close to league average in 2008.^[148]

When asked to responded to criticism of his defense, Jeter replied: "I play in New York, man. Criticism is part of the game, you take criticism as a challenge."^[147] Jeter further asserted that many defensive factors cannot be quantified.^[107] The controversy over Jeter's fielding has become a flash point for the debate over whether the analyses of statistics or subjective observation is the better method to assess a player's defensive ability, and for criticism of the Gold Glove Award.^[150]

Career highlights[link]

Awards[link]

Jeter warming up before a game.

Statistical highlights[link]

Milestones[link]

Jeter receives his 2009 World Series Championship ring

• Jeter recorded his 2,000th career hit with an infield single on May 26, 2006, off Kansas City Royals pitcher Scott Elarton, becoming the eighth Yankee to reach the milestone.^[85]
• Jeter hit his 400th career double on June 27, 2008.^[159]
• Jeter hit his 200th home run on July 12, 2008.^[160]
• Jeter tied Lou Gehrig's record for hits at Yankee Stadium on September 14, 2008.^[93] He passed Gehrig on September 16, 2008.^[94]
• Jeter played in his 2,084th game on August 2, 2009, tying Babe Ruth for 4th in Yankees history.^[161]
• Jeter recorded his 2,673rd and 2,674th hits on August 16, 2009, tying and passing Luis Aparicio for most hits by a shortstop in Major League history.^[99]
• Jeter became the Yankees' all-time hits leader on September 11, 2009, surpassing Gehrig with his 2,722nd hit, a single to right field off of Baltimore Orioles pitcher Chris Tillman in the third inning.^[100]
• Jeter, along with Posada and Rivera, became the first teammates in any of the four major league sports in North America (MLB, NFL, NBA, or NHL) to play in at least 16 seasons on the same team as teammates in 2010.^[162]
• Jeter compiled his 3,000th hit (including the postseason) with a solo home run in the first inning against the Houston Astros on June 12, 2010. The hit also tied him with Rickey Henderson as the all-time Yankees leader in leadoff home runs.^[163]
• Jeter stole his 327th base on May 28, 2011, breaking Henderson's franchise record for stolen bases.^[112]
• Jeter became the 28th member of the 3,000 hit club when he homered off David Price of the Tampa Bay Rays on July 9, 2011. He is the first player in Yankees history to achieve the feat.^[164]
• Jeter and Posada played their 1,660th game together on July 14, 2011, breaking the previous franchise record of 1,659 by Gehrig and Tony Lazzeri.^[165]
• Jeter played his 2,402nd game with the Yankees on August 29, 2011, breaking Mickey Mantle's record for most games played as a Yankee.^[166]

Personal life[link]

Jeter in 2007

Jeter maintains a penthouse apartment in Manhattan's Trump World Tower and homes in Marlboro, New Jersey, Greenwood Lake, New York,^[167] and the Davis Islands neighborhood of Tampa, Florida.^[168] Regarding his official residence, Jeter settled a tax dispute with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance in 2008.^[169] New York State alleged that Jeter should have paid state income tax from 2001 to 2003, as Jeter bought a Manhattan apartment in 2001; Jeter established his residence in Tampa, Florida, in 1994 and claimed that he was still a resident of Florida at the time. Florida has no state income tax.^[170][171]

Jeter's personal life has been a frequent topic in gossip columns and celebrity magazines since his rookie year in 1996. He had a well-publicized relationship with pop diva Mariah Carey from 1997 to 1998.^[1][172] Jeter has also dated former Miss Universe Lara Dutta,^[1][173] singer Joy Enriquez,^[174] actress Jordana Brewster,^[1][175] television personality Vanessa Minillo,^[172] actress Jessica Biel,^[176][177] and actress Minka Kelly.^{[178][179][180]}

In December 2002, Yankees owner George Steinbrenner criticized Jeter for staying out until 3 a.m. at a birthday party during the 2002 season, saying that his star shortstop "wasn't totally focused" and that "it didn't sit well" with him.^[18] The two mocked the incident in a May 2003 VISA commercial,^[65] similar to the manner in which Steinbrenner and former Yankees manager Billy Martin made light of their feud in a Miller Lite commercial during the 1970s.^[181]