Monday, January 12, 2009

Derek Jeters

By Denise I Smithson

Derek Jeter

Born in Pequannok, New Jersey in June of 1974, Derek Jeter and his family later moved to Michigan where Jeter played basketball and baseball at his Kalamazoo, Michigan high school. He was chosen by the New York Yankees as the sixth overall first round pick of the 1996 draft.

Jeter soon established himself as a one of the most qualified players in the league. He received the Rookie of the Year award in his first season with the Yankees, and continued to develop his game year by year. He consistently delivered at the plate and performed outstanding fielding as a shortstop. Jeter was the first rookie in 34 years to play the shortstop position during his first season. He has since become one of modern baseballs most recognizable stars.

Jeter helped propel the Yankees toward a World Series win against the Atlanta Braves in 1995. The following year, he had five hits and five runs scored during the 1996 World Series. Though the team did not make it to the World Series in 1997, Jeter batted .291 with 70 RBIs and 10 home runs. Jeter had achieved celebrity status by the 1998 season, which he ended with a .324 batting average, 19 home runs, 84 RBIs and 203 hits. He was the leagues high scorer with a total of 127 runs.

In 1999, Jeter became the highest paid player among those with just a few years of service. When Jeter and his agent could not reach an agreement with the Yankees about his new contract, they went to arbitration with the Yankees owner, George Steinbrenner. Jeter won this arbitration and earned a one-year $5 million dollar contract.

Jeter continued to focus on his game. This focus paid off; he ended the 1999 season by breaking most of his personal records. He had 24 home runs, 134 scored runs, 9 triples, 102 RBI's and a .349 batting average. He was awarded All-Star for the second time.

The New York Yankees and New York Mets faced off in World Series play in 2000. Jeter jump-started game four of the series with a home run hit on the games first pitch. In his second at-bat, Jeter hit a triple and subsequently scored, garnering a three-run lead for the Yankees. The Yankees went on to win the series in game five.

Even though Jeter has achieved superstar status, he spends time giving back to his community. With his father, Jeter founded the Turn 2 Foundation. The foundation supports high-risk kids and provides alternatives to drug abuse. It encourages academic success and healthy lifestyle choices. Turn 2 has branches in Jeters hometown of Kalamazoo, and in New York City, where he now lives.

Derek Jeter was the first player in history to be named both the World Series MVP and All-Star Game MVP in the same season; he received these awards in 2000. He has been is a seven time American League All-Star. - 16887

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