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The time has finally come.
The Captain
Mr. November
No 2... Derek Jeter
The Yankee shortstop will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. His extraordinary and iconic career will be forever enshrined in the museum. Before the "Mike Trout's: and "Fernando Tatis's", every kid wanted to be like Derek. It is only fitting that the most recognizable name in baseball takes his rightful place in the hall. He would've been the second player to be voted into the hall unanimously (shoutout to Mo) if it wasn't for some anonymous coward. 396 out of the 397 voters surely thought that Jeter was deserving of the hall, so why the issue now?
Of course with greatness comes unnecessary hate, and the Yankee haters are in rare form on the eve of the celebration. The classic slander is now resurfacing. "He never had to dive or hop, it was an easy play. He was a terrible defensive player. He was so overrated."
Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
Jeter was clutch. There was never a doubt about that. Clutchness is an intangible stat and an unmeasurable feat. His consistencness and postseason greatness is why
- Jeter’s eight seasons of 200-or-more hits — the most by any shortstop — matches Lou Gehrig for the most by any Yankee.
- Jeter owns the franchise mark with 358 career stolen bases, with four seasons of 30-or-more steals. Jeter is the only player with at least 250 career homers, a .300 lifetime batting average, 350 steals and 3,000 hits. Jeter batted .308 with 200 hits, 20 homers, 61 RBIs and 111 runs scored in 158 games in the postseason in his career. And how can you not be entertained by his final at bat? Do I need to say more?
"But his defense was terrible, his defensive run saves were ranked last!" Oh, pipe down. He wasn't the best defensive shortstop, fine, but how can you discredit five gold gloves? He ranks tied for fifth-most gold glove amongst shortstops.
Photo: Yankees Archives
Jeter's resume speaks for itself. It is the epitome of greatness.
5× World Series champion (1996, 1998–2000, 2009)
World Series MVP (2000)
AL Rookie of the Year (1996)
5× Gold Glove Award (2004–2006, 2009–2010)
5× Silver Slugger Award (2006–2009, 2012)
2× AL Hank Aaron Award (2006, 2009)
Roberto Clemente Award (2009)
New York Yankees captain (2003–2014)
.310/.377/.440 Career Slash Line
3,465 Hits (6th All-Time)
3,465 RBI's
260 Home Runs
2,747 games played
New York Yankees No. 2 retired
Monument Park honoree
In a small sample size in his 20 season career, 1999 showcased how great he truly was, slashing a line .349/.438/.552, with 24 homers, 219 hits, and an 8.0 WAR. Enough of the disregard and unwarranted comments. The time has come and Jeter's name comes knocking on the hall. There will never be a player like Jetes, and there is no one more deserving of enshrinement in Cooperstown than Derek Jeter.