Career Timeline of Derek Jeter: Major Achievements and Milestones
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Derek Jeter made an impact.
Derek Jeter, nicknamed "the Captain," is a retired American professional baseball player who played his entire 20-year MLB career as a shortstop for the New York Yankees. A highly decorated player, Jeter was a 14-time All-Star, a five-time World Series champion, and won five Gold Glove Awards. In 2020, he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, receiving nearly unanimous support. Post-retirement, Jeter served as CEO and part-owner of the Miami Marlins from 2017 to 2022.
1962: Tom Tresh Starting as Shortstop
In 1962, Tom Tresh was the first Yankee rookie to start as shortstop for the team since Derek Jeter in 1996.
1992: Minor League Baseball Debut
In 1992, Derek Jeter began his minor league baseball career with the Gulf Coast Yankees. He struggled initially, batting .202 in 47 games, and was homesick.
1992: Drafted by the Yankees
In 1992, the New York Yankees drafted Derek Jeter out of high school.
1992: MLB Draft
In the 1992 MLB draft, the Houston Astros passed on drafting Derek Jeter despite strong recommendations from scout Hal Newhouser, who quit his job in protest.
1992: Mike Gallego's Number
Mike Gallego most recently wore uniform number 2, which was assigned to Jeter, from 1992 to 1994.
1993: Departure from the University of Michigan
In 1993, Derek Jeter left the University of Michigan after being drafted by the New York Yankees.
1993: Improved Performance in the Sally League
In 1993, Derek Jeter showed significant improvement in the South Atlantic League (SAL), hitting .295 with 5 home runs and 71 RBIs. He was voted the "Most Outstanding Major League Prospect" despite committing 56 errors. He was named the SAL's Best Defensive Shortstop, Most Exciting Player, and Best Infield Arm by Baseball America.
1993: Top Prospect Rating
In 1993, following a strong season, Baseball America rated Derek Jeter as the 16th-best prospect in baseball.
1994: Minor League Player of the Year Awards
In 1994, Derek Jeter played across three minor league levels, hitting .344 with 5 home runs and 68 RBIs. He received Minor League Player of the Year Awards from Baseball America, The Sporting News, and Topps/NAPBL. He was also named the most valuable player of the FSL.
1994: Mike Gallego's Number
Mike Gallego most recently wore uniform number 2, which was assigned to Jeter, from 1992 to 1994.
May 29, 1995: MLB Debut
On May 29, 1995, Derek Jeter made his Major League Baseball debut for the New York Yankees, wearing uniform number 2. He went hitless in five at-bats.
1995: Joe Torre Hired
Following Tony Fernández's disappointing performance in 1995, the newly hired Yankees manager Joe Torre turned to Derek Jeter for the 1996 season.
1995: Projected Starting Shortstop
Heading into the 1995 season, Derek Jeter was considered the fourth-best prospect in baseball and was projected as the starting shortstop for the New York Yankees.
1995: MLB Debut
In 1995, Derek Jeter debuted in Major League Baseball at age 20.
1995: Don Mattingly's Retirement
In 1995, Don Mattingly retired from the Yankees, leading to eight seasons without a captain until Derek Jeter assumed the role.
1996: 1996 ALCS Home Run
During Game 1 of the 1996 American League Championship Series (ALCS), Derek Jeter hit a controversial home run that was aided by fan interference. The Yankees won the game and defeated the Baltimore Orioles in five games. Jeter batted .361 in the 1996 postseason and led the Yankees to victory in the 1996 World Series against the Atlanta Braves, their first championship since 1978.
1996: Steinbrenner's Advisor
In 1996, Clyde King, a close advisor of Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, observed Jeter during spring training and concluded that he was not yet ready for the major league level.
1996: Rookie of the Year and World Series Win
In 1996, Derek Jeter became the Yankees' starting shortstop, won the Rookie of the Year Award, and helped the team win the World Series against the Atlanta Braves.
1997: Contract and Season Performance
Before the 1997 season, Derek Jeter and the Yankees agreed on a $540,000 contract. He batted .291, with 10 home runs, 70 RBIs, 116 runs, and 190 hits. Despite hitting two home runs during the 1997 American League Division Series, the Yankees lost to the Cleveland Indians.
1997: Lowest Slugging Percentage Since 1997
In the 2008 season, Derek Jeter's slugging percentage dropped to .410, his lowest mark since 1997.
1998: All-Star Selection and MVP Award Nomination
In 1998, Derek Jeter was selected for his first All-Star Game. He batted .324 with a league-leading 127 runs, 19 home runs, and 84 RBIs. He finished third in voting for the AL Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award. The Yankees defeated the San Diego Padres in four games.
1999: Contract Negotiations
During the 1999-2000 offseason, the Yankees and Derek Jeter tentatively agreed to a seven-year, $118.5 million contract, but Steinbrenner delayed the deal to avoid setting a record contract. After Juan González's deal fell through, Jeter's tentative deal also collapsed.
1999: AL Hits Leader and World Series Championship
In 1999, Derek Jeter won a $5 million salary arbitration. He led the American League in hits with 219, finished second in batting average (.349), and scored 134 runs. His season totals in various categories were personal bests. In the postseason, Jeter performed well, helping the Yankees defeat the Braves to win the World Series.
1999: Wade Boggs' 3,000th Hit
In 1999, Wade Boggs became the first player to hit a home run for his 3,000th hit, an achievement later matched by Derek Jeter.
1999: Comparison to Jeter's Play in 1999
In 2012, Alex Rodriguez commented that Derek Jeter was playing as he did back in 1999, highlighting a return to form reminiscent of his earlier career.
2000: One-Year Deal
In 2000, to avoid arbitration, Derek Jeter and the Yankees agreed to a one-year deal worth $10 million.
2001: Signing a Ten-Year Contract
Before the 2001 season, Derek Jeter signed a ten-year, $189 million contract to remain with the Yankees, becoming the second-highest-paid athlete across team sports and auto racing.
2001: "The Flip" and ALDS Assist
In 2001, Derek Jeter batted .311 with 21 home runs. During Game 3 of the ALDS against the Athletics, Jeter made a crucial defensive play known as "The Flip," assisting in an out at home plate that preserved the Yankees' lead. He also played in the 2001 MLB All-Star Game, hitting a home run off of Jon Lieber.
2001: "Mr. November" Home Run
In November 2001, Derek Jeter hit a game-winning home run in Game 4 of the World Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, earning the nickname "Mr. November." Despite this, he struggled at the plate, batting .148 in the series, which the Yankees lost.
2002: All-Star Appearance and Stolen Base Percentage Leader
During the 2002 regular season, Derek Jeter batted .297, with 18 home runs and a career-best 32 stolen bases. He led the majors in stolen base percentage (91.4%) in 2002. Jeter also made his fifth All-Star appearance.
June 3, 2003: Named Yankees Captain
On June 3, 2003, Derek Jeter was named the captain of the Yankees, filling the position after eight seasons without a captain since Don Mattingly's retirement.
2003: Acquisition of Alex Rodriguez
During the 2003–04 offseason, the Yankees acquired Alex Rodriguez from the Texas Rangers, leading to Rodriguez moving to third base while Derek Jeter remained the starting shortstop.
2003: Yankees Team Captain
From 2003, Derek Jeter served as the Yankees' team captain.
July 1, 2004: Diving Catch Against Red Sox
On July 1, 2004, Derek Jeter made an over-the-shoulder diving catch against the Boston Red Sox, resulting in a lacerated chin and bruised face. This play was voted the Play of the Year. Following the season, Jeter won his first Gold Glove Award.
2004: All-Star Season
In 2004, Derek Jeter made the All-Star team and finished the season with a .292 average, 23 home runs, 78 RBIs, 111 runs scored, and a career-best 44 doubles.
2005: Second Gold Glove Award
In the 2005 season, Derek Jeter was second in the AL in runs scored (122) and third in both at bats (654) and hits (202). Despite criticism of his defense, he won his second consecutive Gold Glove in 2005.
2006: 2,000th Career Hit
During the 2006 season, Derek Jeter recorded his 2,000th career hit, becoming the eighth Yankee to reach this milestone. He finished the season with a .343 batting average and earned his seventh All-Star selection. Jeter batted .500 with one home run in the 2006 ALDS, including a perfect 5-for-5 performance in Game 1.
2006: World Baseball Classic Performance
In 2006, Derek Jeter started at shortstop for the United States national baseball team in the World Baseball Classic. He hit .450 and scored five runs in six games. Jeter was selected as the shortstop on the All-Tournament Team due to his play.
2007: Consistent Contributor
During the 2007 season, Derek Jeter was third in the AL with 203 hits and was selected for his eighth All-Star appearance. In the field, he was involved in turning a career-high 104 double plays.
June 27, 2008: 400th Career Double
On June 27, 2008, Derek Jeter hit his 400th career double.
September 14, 2008: Tying Lou Gehrig's Record
On September 14, 2008, Derek Jeter tied Lou Gehrig's record for hits at Yankee Stadium (1,269) with a home run.
2008: Yankees Miss Postseason
In 2008, the New York Yankees did not qualify for the postseason, an exception in Derek Jeter's major league career.
August 16, 2009: Hits Record as a Shortstop
On August 16, 2009, Derek Jeter broke Luis Aparicio's major league record for hits as a shortstop, with his 2,675th hit.
September 11, 2009: Yankees All-Time Hits Leader
On September 11, 2009, Derek Jeter became the all-time hits leader as a member of the Yankees (2,722), surpassing Lou Gehrig.
2009: Fifth World Series championship and Sportsman of the Year
In 2009, Derek Jeter batted .355 in the postseason, including .407 in the World Series, leading to his fifth World Series championship. He was named Sportsman of the Year by Sports Illustrated and won the Roberto Clemente Award, Hank Aaron Award, his fourth Gold Glove Award, and his fourth Silver Slugger Award. Jeter also finished third in the AL MVP voting.
2009: World Baseball Classic and Game Against Yankees
In 2009, Derek Jeter started at shortstop and was named captain of the United States team in the World Baseball Classic. He batted .276 in eight games. Jeter and the United States team played an exhibition game against the Yankees, marking the only time Jeter played against his own team.
2009: Leading Off and Defensive Improvement
In the 2009 season, Derek Jeter moved to the leadoff role and batted .334 with a .406 OBP. Defensively, Jeter committed a career-low eight errors.
2010: Free Agency and Contract Negotiations
After the 2010 season, Derek Jeter became a free agent for the first time in his career. At 36 years old, he was perceived to be in decline, leading to tense contract negotiations with the Yankees. Despite initial disagreements and public statements, Jeter ultimately reached an agreement with the Yankees on a three-year contract for $51 million with an option for a fourth year. He also spent the offseason working on adjustments to his swing.
2010: Teammate Milestone and Statistically Worst Season
In 2010, Derek Jeter, along with Posada and Rivera, became the first trio of teammates in major league sports to play at least 16 consecutive seasons on the same team. The 2010 season was statistically Jeter's worst in many respects, with career lows in batting average (.270), OBP (.340), and SLG (.370). Despite this, Jeter was elected to start at shortstop in the All-Star Game and later rebounded with adjustments to his swing, and he won his fifth Gold Glove award.
May 28, 2011: Breaking Rickey Henderson's Stolen Base Record
On May 28, 2011, Derek Jeter broke Rickey Henderson's franchise record for stolen bases, achieving his 327th stolen base against the Mariners.
July 9, 2011: 3,000th Career Hit
On July 9, 2011, Derek Jeter recorded his 3,000th career hit, which was a home run off David Price of the Tampa Bay Rays. He finished the day with five hits in five at-bats and became the second player to hit a home run for his 3,000th hit. He is the only member of the 3,000 hit club to record all of his hits with the New York Yankees.
July 14, 2011: Record-Breaking Game with Posada
On July 14, 2011, Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada played their 1,660th game together, breaking the previous franchise record of 1,659 held by Lou Gehrig and Tony Lazzeri.
July 28, 2011: Derek Jeter 3K Documentary Aired
On July 28, 2011, MLB and HBO aired "Derek Jeter 3K," a documentary profiling Derek Jeter's path to achieving 3,000 career hits.
August 29, 2011: Most Games Played as a Yankee
On August 29, 2011, Derek Jeter played his 2,402nd game with the Yankees, surpassing Mickey Mantle's record for most games played as a Yankee.
2012: Injured in ALCS
In 2012, Derek Jeter finished the season with the most hits in MLB (216). He moved into the Top 10 on the all-time hit list. After hitting .364 in the 2012 ALDS, Jeter fractured his left ankle during Game 1 of the 2012 ALCS against the Detroit Tigers, ending his season.
2012: Honorary Doctorate from Siena College
In 2012, Derek Jeter received an honorary doctorate from Siena College, recognizing his foundation's work.
2012: All-Star Game Hit Record
In the 2012 MLB All-Star Game, Derek Jeter recorded his 11th All-Star hit, surpassing Mickey Mantle for the most All-Star Game hits in Yankees history. Jeter finished the game with a .458 average, placing him fourth all-time among players with at least 12 plate appearances in the All-Star Game.
September 14, 2013: Transferred to 60-Day Disabled List
On September 14, 2013, Derek Jeter was transferred to the 60-day disabled list due to ongoing ankle problems, effectively ending his season.
2013: Forms Jeter Publishing
In 2013, during an injury-shortened season, Derek Jeter partnered with Simon & Schuster to create Jeter Publishing, intended to publish nonfiction books for adults, children's picture books, and elementary grade fiction.
2013: Yankees Miss Postseason
In 2013, the New York Yankees did not qualify for the postseason, an exception in Derek Jeter's major league career.
February 12, 2014: Announcement of Retirement
On February 12, 2014, Derek Jeter announced on his Facebook page that the 2014 season would be his last, marking the end of his illustrious career. During his final season, each opposing team honored Jeter with a gift during his final visit to their city, including donations to his charity, the Turn 2 Foundation.
October 1, 2014: Launch of The Players' Tribune
On October 1, 2014, Derek Jeter launched The Players' Tribune, a website featuring columns written by athletes.
2014: Explored purchasing Buffalo Bills
In 2014, Derek Jeter explored purchasing the Buffalo Bills football team.
2014: Final Season Highlights and Records
In 2014, Derek Jeter recorded his 1,000th career multi-hit game. He was elected to start at shortstop in the 2014 All-Star Game and went 2-for-2. Jeter became the oldest player with two or more hits in an All-Star Game. He broke the MLB record for games started at shortstop and the Yankees' record for career doubles. Jeter also passed Carl Yastrzemski and Honus Wagner on the all-time career hit list.
2014: Yankees Miss Postseason
In 2014, the New York Yankees did not qualify for the postseason, an exception in Derek Jeter's major league career.
March 2015: Partnership with Concessions Tampa
In March 2015, it was reported that Derek Jeter partnered with Concessions Tampa to bid for a space within the Tampa International Airport, planning to open a restaurant named after his website, The Players' Tribune.
July 2017: Bidding for Miami Marlins
In July 2017, Derek Jeter engaged in the bidding for ownership of the Miami Marlins.
August 2017: Deal to purchase Miami Marlins
In August 2017, Derek Jeter and Bruce Sherman finalized a deal to purchase the Miami Marlins.
September 2017: CEO of Miami Marlins
In September 2017, Derek Jeter became the chief executive officer (CEO) and part owner of the Miami Marlins.
September 2017: Purchase of Miami Marlins completed
In September 2017, the sale of the Miami Marlins to Derek Jeter and Bruce Sherman was completed, with Jeter named CEO of the team.
2018: Donation to Hurricane Irma victims
In 2018, Derek Jeter donated furniture and household items to families forced to relocate by Hurricane Irma.
July 2019: Donation to Kalamazoo Public School District
In July 2019, Derek Jeter donated $3.2 million from the Turn 2 Foundation to the Kalamazoo Public School District for renovating their baseball and softball complex.
April 2021: Joined Rockefeller Capital Management board
In April 2021, Derek Jeter joined the board of Rockefeller Capital Management.
February 2022: Departure from Miami Marlins
In February 2022, Derek Jeter stepped down from his role as the CEO and part owner of the Miami Marlins.
February 28, 2022: Jeter steps down as Marlins CEO
On February 28, 2022, Derek Jeter announced he would no longer serve as CEO of the Miami Marlins and sold his 4% ownership in the team.
September 8, 2022: Launch of Arena Club
On September 8, 2022, Derek Jeter announced he joined entrepreneur Brian Lee and multiple capital venture firms in launching a card grading, storage vault, and marketplace platform named Arena Club.
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