By PJ MONTEZUMA
The Captain, Mr. November, Mr. 3000, Captain Clutch- many of the names that 39 year old Derek Sanderson Jeter has earned over his 19 seasons in the Major League Baseball. On February 12, 2014 Jeter informed the world heartbreaking news on his Facebook that the 2014 MLB season will be his final season because he will retire once it comes to an end.
Being a die-hard Red Sox fan, I was still shocked by this news. Even though he is a New York Yankees player, you have to have respect for Jeter and what he has brought to the MLB during his 19 seasons. An endless list of accomplishments of his consist of American League Rookie of the year (1996), 5 World Series Championships (1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2009), World Series Most Valuable Player (2000), 2 Hank Aaron Awards, 5 Silver Slugger Awards, 5 Rawlings Gold Glove Awards, 13 time MLB All Star, 3,000 hits, and many more. Jeter became captain of the New York Yankees in 2003, the 2014 season marks his 12th season as captain.
One of the Yankees greats, closer Mariano Rivera retired as the 2013 season ended, completing 19 seasons with the New York Yankees racking up a total of 652 saves, holding the MLB record. As Rivera went through the 2013 season, everything about him was “Exit Sandman”. Whereas this 2014 season will consist of “Farewell Captain” which is the slogan for Jeters department.
As a kid growing up loving baseball, watching the way Jeter played the game was inspirational. His love for his teammates and the game was endless and those are a few reasons why Jeter is one of the greats. As spring training starts Jeter prepares for his final season down in Tampa, Florida while we are preparing for a memorable season from one of the best shortstops to play in the MLB.
