“Now batting for the Yankees: Derek…Jeter No. 2”. The words of the late, great Bob Sheppard ring through Yankees Stadium as the Captain steps up to the batter’s box for the final time in the legendary blue and white pinstriped uniform.

It is the bottom of the ninth inning, one out, one man on second base. The Yankees and Orioles are tied at five. The pitcher nods his head, winds up and throws the pitch. Jeter swings the bat and connects with the ball as it rolls into left field for a game-winning single. It was the perfect ending to a great career.

For 20 years, Derek Sanderson Jeter has been the face of New York Yankees and a well-respect player around Major League Baseball. It has been a long road with twists and turns along the way from his humble roots in Kalamazoo, Michigan to the bright lights of New York City, but every step of the way, Jeter has walked that road with dignity and class.

The five-time Gold Glove winner came into the league in 1992 when he was drafted sixth overall, along with a new golden generation of players in the following years that included catcher Jorge Posada and closer Mariano Rivera. The three of them formed the core of the Yankees roster that brought the once proud franchise back to their winning ways after two decades of irrelevance.

From 1996 to 2009, the Yankees reached the post-season every single year except for 2008, winning five World Series Championships in seven appearances.

Jeter holds a .321 batting average in the World Series and holds several postseason records, earning the titles of “Mr. November” and “Captain Clutch”.

“Captain Clutch” has the sixth most hits in MLB history with 3,465, and is a 14-time All-Star. He won the 1996 AL Rookie of the Year award and added a World Series MVP in 2000.

Despite all the accolades and all the attention he has received in numerous endorsements and high-profile relationships with models and actresses throughout the years, Jeter is a man with a quiet demeanor who lets his play do all the talking.

He is an old soul, one who younger players can look to as a role model and as a leader. In an age marred by the steroid scandal of the early 2000’s and a time with many athletes questioned for their off the field antics ranging from murder to domestic violence, he has been the model of how to be a superstar athlete and how to do things the right way. Jeter has never had run-ins with the law and never been accused of anything other than being a competitor and a world-class athlete.

There are critics who will say he doesn’t have the same numbers as many Hall of Famers. He isn’t the flashiest guy to ever play the game. He is overrated and is only beloved because of his status in the media and his star power.

Jeter is loved because of the way he carries himself and because of the positive impact he has had on the game of baseball. Sports in general need more people like Derek Jeter. Sports do not need people who will beat their wives, murder their rivals or shoot up HGH.

So now, Derek Jeter is retired and is beginning his future without baseball, one he has never before known. Baseball fans have said their goodbyes to the Captain. His legacy will live on as he rides into the sunset and right into the Hall of Fame.

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