History of Derek Jeter in Timeline

Derek Jeter, nicknamed "the Captain", is an American former professional baseball shortstop who played his entire 20-year MLB career with the New York Yankees. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2020 on his first ballot, receiving near-unanimous support. After his playing career, Jeter served as CEO and part-owner of the Miami Marlins from 2017 to 2022.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

1962: Tom Tresh Started as Shortstop

In 1962, Tom Tresh started as shortstop

June 26, 1974: Derek Jeter Born

On June 26, 1974, Derek Sanderson Jeter was born in Pequannock Township, New Jersey.

Others born on this day/year

1978: Yankees win World Series

Yankees won the World Series in 1978

1979: Sister Born

Around 1979, Derek Jeter's younger sister, Sharlee, was born.

1992: Minor League Debut

In 1992, Derek Jeter began his minor league career with the Gulf Coast Yankees, struggling initially with a low batting average.

1992: Scholarship to Michigan

In 1992, Derek Jeter earned a baseball scholarship to attend the University of Michigan.

1992: Drafted by Yankees

In 1992, Derek Jeter was drafted by the New York Yankees out of high school.

1992: Last worn number 2

In 1992, Mike Gallego last wore the number 2 before Jeter.

1992: MLB Draft

In 1992, the Houston Astros passed on drafting Derek Jeter first overall in the MLB draft, due to concerns about his salary demands.

1993: Rated Top Prospect

Coming off his strong 1993 season, Baseball America rated Derek Jeter as the 16th-best prospect in baseball.

1993: Alex Rodriguez Draft

In 1993, Alex Rodriguez was the first overall selection in the MLB draft.

1993: Most Outstanding Major League Prospect

In 1993, Derek Jeter was voted the "Most Outstanding Major League Prospect" in the South Atlantic League (SAL).

1994: Shoulder Inflammation

At the end of the 1994 regular season, Derek Jeter suffered mild inflammation in his right shoulder in the Arizona Fall League.

1994: Minor League Player of the Year

In 1994, Derek Jeter was honored with Minor League Player of the Year Awards by multiple organizations.

1994: Florida Residence Established

In 1994, Jeter claimed to have established his residence in Tampa Bay, Florida, which has no state income tax.

1994: Last Worn Number 2

Mike Gallego last wore the number 2 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.

1995: Projected Starting Shortstop

Considered a top prospect heading into the 1995 season, Derek Jeter was projected as the starting shortstop for the Yankees.

1995: Don Mattingly Retires

Don Mattingly retired in 1995. After his retirement, the Yankees went eight seasons without a captain until Jeter was appointed.

1995: MLB Debut

In 1995, Derek Jeter debuted in Major League Baseball at age 20.

1995: Injuries Open Door

In 1995, injuries to other players created the opportunity for Derek Jeter to step up.

1996: Jeffrey Maier Home Run

During the 1996 ALCS, a controversial home run call involving fan interference helped the Yankees win a crucial game.

1996: Rookie of the Year and World Series

In 1996, Derek Jeter became the Yankees' starting shortstop, won the Rookie of the Year Award, and helped the team win the World Series.

1996: Created the Turn 2 Foundation

In 1996, Derek Jeter created the Turn 2 Foundation, a charitable organization aimed at helping children and teenagers avoid drug and alcohol addiction and rewarding academic achievement.

1996: Manager Trusts Jeter

In 1996, newly hired Yankees manager Joe Torre placed his trust in Derek Jeter.

1996: Rise to Fame

Since his rookie year in 1996, Jeter's personal life became a frequent topic in gossip columns and celebrity magazines, marking the beginning of his public persona beyond baseball.

1997: Relationship with Mariah Carey

From 1997 to 1998, Jeter had a well-publicized relationship with singer Mariah Carey.

1997: Contract and Leadoff Batter

In 1997, Derek Jeter and the Yankees agreed on a $540,000 contract, and he became the Yankees' leadoff batter.

1997: Lowest Slugging Percentage Since 1997

Jeter's slugging percentage (SLG) dropped to .410 in the 2008 season, his lowest mark since 1997.

1998: Relationship with Mariah Carey

From 1997 to 1998, Jeter had a well-publicized relationship with singer Mariah Carey.

1998: MVP Award Nomination

In 1998, Derek Jeter finished third in voting for the American League (AL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award.

1998: All-Star and MVP Nomination

In 1998, Derek Jeter was selected for his first All-Star Game and finished third in MVP voting.

1999: AL Hits Leader and Salary Arbitration

In 1999, Derek Jeter led the American League in hits with 219 and was awarded a $5 million salary through arbitration. He also achieved personal bests in multiple offensive categories and played exceptionally well in the postseason, helping the Yankees win the World Series.

1999: Career High Numbers

In 1999, Derek Jeter recorded multiple career-high numbers.

1999: Salary Arbitration and Contract Negotiations

In 1999, Derek Jeter was eligible for salary arbitration and was awarded a $5 million salary.

1999: Boggs' 3,000th Hit

In 1999, Wade Boggs hit a home run for his 3,000th hit, which Jeter later matched in 2011.

1999: Reference to Jeter's 1999 Performance

In 2012, Rodriguez commented that Jeter is playing as he did in 1999, highlighting a comparison to a previous peak in Jeter's career.

2000: Failed Contract Deal

During the 1999-2000 offseason, Jeter and the Yankees tentatively agreed to a seven-year, $118.5 million contract. However, the deal fell through, and Jeter and the Yankees agreed to a one-year deal worth $10 million to avoid arbitration in 2000.

2000: All-Star Game MVP and World Series MVP

In 2000, Derek Jeter had a strong regular season, batting .339. He won the All-Star Game MVP and World Series MVP awards, becoming the first player to win both in the same season. Jeter helped the Yankees win their third consecutive World Series title.

2000: Defensive Struggles

In 2000, Jeter committed 24 errors, his highest career total, highlighting an area for improvement in his game.

2001: Ten-Year Contract with the Yankees

Before the 2001 season, Derek Jeter signed a ten-year, $189 million contract to stay with the Yankees, becoming one of the highest-paid athletes in baseball. The average annual value of Jeter's contract was the third-highest in baseball.

2001: "Mr. November" Home Run in the World Series

During the 2001 World Series, which extended into November due to the September 11 attacks, Derek Jeter hit a game-winning home run in Game 4. He was dubbed "Mr. November." However, he struggled overall in the series, and the Yankees lost to the Diamondbacks.

2001: All-Star Game and "The Flip"

In 2001, Derek Jeter batted .311 and played in the All-Star Game. He made a memorable defensive play in the ALDS against the Athletics, known as "The Flip," which helped the Yankees win the series.

2001: Residence Allegation

In 2001, New York State alleged that Jeter should have paid state income tax.

December 2002: Steinbrenner's Criticism

In December 2002, Yankees owner George Steinbrenner criticized Jeter for staying out late at a birthday party, questioning his focus.

2002: All-Star Appearance and Stolen Base Percentage Leader

During the 2002 regular season, Jeter batted .297, with 18 home runs, 75 RBIs, 124 runs scored, 191 hits, and a career-best 32 stolen bases. He led the majors in stolen base percentage (91.4%) and made his fifth All-Star appearance.

2002: Defensive Performance Analysis

From 2002 through 2005, Jeter's defensive capabilities were analyzed, contributing to later studies in 2008 that labeled him as the worst defensive shortstop in MLB during that period.

2002: "The Flip" wins ESPY Award

In 2002, Jeter's defensive play in the 2001 ALDS game against the Athletics, known as "The Flip" won the Best Play ESPY Award.

May 2003: Visa Commercial

In May 2003, Jeter and Steinbrenner mocked their incident in a Visa commercial.

June 3, 2003: Named Yankees Captain

On June 3, 2003, George Steinbrenner named Derek Jeter the captain of the New York Yankees, filling the position that had been vacant since Don Mattingly's retirement in 1995.

2003: Most Marketable Player in Baseball

According to the 2003 Sports Business Surveys, Derek Jeter was ranked as the most marketable player in baseball.

2003: Yankees Acquire Alex Rodriguez

During the 2003–04 offseason, the Yankees acquired Alex Rodriguez from the Texas Rangers. Rodriguez, considered the best shortstop in baseball, moved to third base, while Jeter remained the team's starting shortstop.

2003: Yankees Team Captain

In 2003, Derek Jeter became the New York Yankees team captain.

2003: Disabled List Stint

In 2003, Jeter had a stint on the 15-day disabled list.

2003: Inducted into Kalamazoo Central High School Athletic Hall of Fame

In 2003, Kalamazoo Central High School inducted Derek Jeter into its athletic hall of fame.

2003: Residence Allegation

In 2003, New York State alleged that Jeter should have paid state income tax.

2003: Shoulder Dislocation on Opening Day

On Opening Day of the 2003 season, Derek Jeter dislocated his left shoulder after a collision at third base. This injury led to him being placed on the disabled list for six weeks, causing him to miss 36 games.

July 1, 2004: Diving Catch Against the Red Sox

On July 1, 2004, Derek Jeter made a memorable over-the-shoulder diving catch against the Boston Red Sox, launching himself over the railing and into the stands. He received a lacerated chin and bruised face but helped the Yankees win the game.

2004: All-Star and ALDS Performance

In 2004, Derek Jeter made the All-Star team, finished the season with a .292 average, and hit 23 home runs. He batted .316 in the ALDS, but struggled in the ALCS as the Yankees lost to the Red Sox.

2004: Start of Season Slump

The 2004 season began with Jeter in a slump, batting only .168 through April, but his performance improved by the All-Star break.

2005: Most Marketable Player in Baseball

According to the 2005 Sports Business Surveys, Derek Jeter was ranked as the most marketable player in baseball.

2005: Defensive Performance Analysis

From 2002 through 2005, Jeter's defensive capabilities were analyzed, contributing to later studies in 2008 that labeled him as the worst defensive shortstop in MLB during that period.

2005: Segment on 60 Minutes

In 2005, Derek Jeter was the subject of a segment on the TV news magazine 60 Minutes.

2005: Second Consecutive Gold Glove Award

In the 2005 season, Derek Jeter won his second consecutive Gold Glove Award, despite criticisms regarding his defensive statistics. He also finished second in the AL in runs scored and third in hits. Although Jeter batted .333 during the 2005 ALDS, the Yankees lost to the Angels.

2006: 2,000th Career Hit and All-Star Selection

During the 2006 season, Derek Jeter recorded his 2,000th career hit and earned his seventh All-Star selection. Jeter finished the season second in the AL in both batting average (.343) and runs scored (118).

2006: World Baseball Classic

In 2006, Derek Jeter competed in the World Baseball Classic, representing the United States.

2006: Second-Highest Paid Endorser in Baseball

In 2006, Derek Jeter was the second-highest paid endorser in baseball, only surpassed by Ichiro Suzuki who had endorsement deals in Japan.

2006: Defense Criticism

In 2006, The Fielding Bible described Jeter as the "most ineffective defensive player in the major leagues".

2006: Hank Aaron Award and Gold Glove

In 2006, despite narrowly missing the AL MVP Award, Derek Jeter won the Hank Aaron Award for superior offensive performance and his third consecutive Gold Glove Award.

2007: 200 Hits and All-Star Appearance

During the 2007 season, Derek Jeter recorded his third consecutive season with at least 200 hits and was selected for his eighth All-Star appearance. Defensively, he turned a career-high 104 double plays.

2007: Defensive Struggles

In 2007, Jeter committed 18 errors, his highest total since 2000, leading to concerns about his defense.

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 at Yankee Stadium

On September 14, 2008, Derek Jeter tied Lou Gehrig's record for hits at Yankee Stadium (1,269) with a home run. Later that year, he broke the record. Following the final game at the stadium, Jeter delivered a speech thanking the fans, which was later voted as the Moment of the Year.

2008: Derek Jeter Pro Baseball 2008

In 2008, Derek Jeter was featured in Gameloft's wireless phone baseball game, Derek Jeter Pro Baseball 2008.

2008: Tax Dispute Settled

In 2008, Jeter settled a tax dispute regarding his official residence with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.

2008: Improved Defense

In 2008, Jeter's defense improved due to a rigorous training program, with his ultimate zone rating (UZR) improving from worst in the AL to close to league average.

2008: Defense Criticism

In 2008, a study found that Jeter was the worst defensive shortstop in MLB from 2002 through 2005.

2008: Postseason Qualification

In 2008, the Yankees did not qualify for the postseason, marking an exception in Jeter's career with otherwise consistent postseason appearances.

August 16, 2009: Most Hits as a Shortstop

On August 16, 2009, Derek Jeter recorded his 2,675th hit as a shortstop, breaking Luis Aparicio's major league record.

September 11, 2009: All-Time Yankees Hit Leader

On September 11, 2009, Derek Jeter became the all-time hits leader as a member of the Yankees with his 2,722th hit, passing Lou Gehrig.

2009: Move to Leadoff Hitter

For the 2009 season, Jeter moved to the leadoff role in the batting order. During the season, Jeter batted .334 with a .406 OBP, an .871 OPS, 18 home runs, 66 RBIs, 30 stolen bases in 35 attempts, 107 runs scored, 72 walks, and 212 hits. Defensively, Jeter committed a career-low eight errors, and his .986 fielding percentage was his career best.

2009: Roberto Clemente Award

In 2009, Derek Jeter received the Roberto Clemente Award.

2009: Captain of Team USA

In 2009, Derek Jeter was named captain of the United States team for the World Baseball Classic.

2009: Fifth World Series Championship and Awards

In 2009, Derek Jeter won his fifth World Series championship and was named Sportsman of the Year by Sports Illustrated. He also received the Roberto Clemente Award, Hank Aaron Award, fourth Gold Glove, and fourth Silver Slugger Award. He finished third in the AL MVP voting.

2009: World Baseball Classic Captain

In 2009, Jeter was named captain of the United States team in the World Baseball Classic.

2009: Ambassador for Weplay

Since 2009, Derek Jeter has served as an ambassador for Weplay, a website aimed at encouraging children's involvement in sports.

2010: Most Marketable Player in Baseball

According to the 2010 Sports Business Surveys, Derek Jeter was ranked as the most marketable player in baseball.

2010: Free Agency and Contract Negotiations

After the 2010 season, Jeter became a free agent for the first time in his career. Negotiations with the Yankees became tense, but he eventually reached an agreement on a three-year contract for $51 million with an option for a fourth year.

2010: Worst Season and Gold Glove

In 2010, Jeter had statistically his worst season, batting .270. Despite this, he was elected to start at shortstop in the All-Star Game. He rebounded late in the season and won his fifth Gold Glove award, committing only six errors, his lowest total in 15 full seasons in 2010.

2010: Defense Rating Despite Gold Glove

In 2010, despite receiving his fifth Gold Glove Award, advanced defensive statistics rated Jeter below middle-of-the-pack status, highlighting a discrepancy between traditional awards and advanced metrics.

May 28, 2011: Breaks Franchise Stolen Base Record

On May 28, 2011, Jeter broke Rickey Henderson's franchise record for stolen bases with his 327th stolen base against the Mariners, marking a career milestone.

July 9, 2011: 3,000th Career Hit

On July 9, 2011, Jeter recorded his 3,000th career hit, a home run off of David Price of the Tampa Bay Rays, finishing the day with five hits in five at-bats. He became the second player to hit a home run for his 3,000th hit.

July 14, 2011: Jeter and Posada Break Franchise Record

On July 14, 2011, Jeter and Posada played their 1,660th game together, breaking the previous franchise record of 1,659 by 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 that profiled his path to 3,000 hits.

August 29, 2011: Breaks Yankees Games Played Record

On August 29, 2011, Jeter played his 2,402nd game with the Yankees, breaking Mickey Mantle's record for most games played as a Yankee.

2011: Charity Baseball Game in Tokyo

In 2011, Derek Jeter, along with Hideki Matsui, participated in a charity baseball game at the Tokyo Dome to raise funds for survivors of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.

2011: Kalamazoo Central High School Renamed Baseball Field in His Honor

In 2011, Kalamazoo Central High School renamed its baseball field in honor of Derek Jeter.

2011: Most Marketable Player in Baseball

In 2011, the marketing firm Nielsen ranked Derek Jeter as the most marketable player in baseball, considering attributes like sincerity, approachability, experience, and influence.

2012: Received Honorary Doctorate from Siena College

In 2012, Derek Jeter received an honorary doctorate from Siena College in recognition of his foundation's charitable work.

2012: Most Hits in MLB and Injury

In 2012, Jeter finished the season with the most hits in MLB (216) and moved into the Top 10 on the all-time hit list. He fractured his left ankle during Game 1 of the ALCS, ending his season.

2012: Hot Streak and All-Star Game Performance

In 2012, Jeter started the season with a hot streak, batting .420 through April 25. In the 2012 MLB All-Star Game, he recorded his 11th All-Star hit, passing Mantle for the most All-Star Game hits in Yankees history.

2012: Dating Hannah Davis

Since 2012, Jeter and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover model Hannah Davis started dating.

September 14, 2013: Transferred to 60-Day Disabled List

On September 14, 2013, Jeter was transferred to the 60-day disabled list, marking the end of a season where he only played 17 games and batted .190 due to recurring injuries.

2013: Partnership with Simon & Schuster to form Jeter Publishing

In 2013, during an injury-shortened season, Derek Jeter partnered with Simon & Schuster to create Jeter Publishing, an imprint for various book genres, envisioning it as his "blueprint for postcareer".

2013: Postseason Qualification

In 2013, the Yankees did not qualify for the postseason, marking an exception in Jeter's career with otherwise consistent postseason appearances.

February 12, 2014: Retirement Announcement

On February 12, 2014, Jeter announced on his Facebook page that the 2014 season would be his last, signaling the end of his career.

October 1, 2014: Launch of ThePlayersTribune.com

On October 1, 2014, Derek Jeter launched ThePlayersTribune.com, a new media platform designed to give professional athletes an unfiltered voice and bring fans closer to the games they love.

2014: Appearance on Finding Your Roots

In 2014, Derek Jeter appeared in an episode of Finding Your Roots, a Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) television series.

2014: Exploring Purchase of the Buffalo Bills

In 2014, Derek Jeter explored the possibility of purchasing the Buffalo Bills football team.

2014: Retirement

In 2014, Derek Jeter retired from professional baseball.

2014: Final Season Milestones

In 2014, during his final season, Jeter recorded his 1,000th career multi-hit game, started at shortstop in the All-Star Game, and broke Omar Vizquel's MLB record for games started at shortstop and Gehrig's franchise record of 534 doubles. He also passed Carl Yastrzemski and Honus Wagner on the all-time hits list.

2014: Postseason Qualification

In 2014, the Yankees did not qualify for the postseason, marking an exception in Jeter's career with otherwise consistent postseason appearances.

February 2015: Appearance on Saturday Night Live's 40th Anniversary

In February 2015, Derek Jeter appeared alongside Peyton Manning to celebrate Saturday Night Live's 40th Anniversary.

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 to open a restaurant named after his website, The Players' Tribune.

2015: Inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame

In 2015, Derek Jeter was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame.

2015: Engagement to Hannah Davis

In 2015, Jeter and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover model Hannah Davis became engaged.

July 2016: Marriage to Hannah Davis

In July 2016, Jeter married Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover model Hannah Davis.

May 14, 2017: Yankees Retired Jeter's Number and Unveiled Plaque

On May 14, 2017, the New York Yankees retired Derek Jeter's uniform number and unveiled a plaque in his honor at Monument Park during a pregame ceremony.

July 2017: Engaged in Bidding for Miami Marlins Ownership

In July 2017, Derek Jeter engaged in the bidding process for the ownership of the Miami Marlins baseball team.

August 2017: Finalized Deal to Purchase Miami Marlins

In August 2017, Derek Jeter and Bruce Sherman finalized an agreement to purchase the Miami Marlins baseball team.

August 2017: Birth of First Daughter

In August 2017, Jeter and Hannah Davis welcomed their first daughter.

September 2017: Miami Marlins CEO

In September 2017, Derek Jeter became the chief executive officer (CEO) and part owner of the Miami Marlins.

September 2017: Completed Purchase of Miami Marlins and Named CEO

In September 2017, the sale of the Miami Marlins was completed, and Derek Jeter was named the chief executive officer (CEO) of the team, overseeing day-to-day operations.

2017: Yankees Retired Number

In 2017, the New York Yankees retired Derek Jeter's uniform number 2.

2018: Donation of Furniture and Household Items

In 2018, Derek Jeter donated furniture and household items to families displaced by Hurricane Irma.

January 2019: Birth of Second Daughter

In January 2019, Jeter and Hannah Davis welcomed their second daughter.

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 to fund renovations for the school's baseball and softball complex.

January 21, 2020: Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame

On January 21, 2020, Derek Jeter was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2020 in his first year of eligibility.

September 2020: Tampa Home Listed

In September 2020, Jeter and his wife listed their waterfront Tampa home for $29 million.

2020: Hall of Fame Election

In 2020, Derek Jeter was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, receiving nearly unanimous support.

March 2021: Greenwood Lake Home Listed

In March 2021, Jeter and his wife listed their Greenwood Lake home.

April 2021: Joined the Board of Rockefeller Capital Management

In April 2021, Derek Jeter joined the board of directors at Rockefeller Capital Management.

September 8, 2021: Enshrinement in Baseball Hall of Fame

On September 8, 2021, Derek Jeter was formally enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame during a ceremony in Cooperstown, New York.

December 2021: Birth of Third Daughter

In December 2021, Jeter and Hannah Davis welcomed their third daughter.

February 2022: Leaves Miami Marlins

In February 2022, Derek Jeter stepped down as CEO and part owner of the Miami Marlins.

February 28, 2022: Departure as CEO of the Miami Marlins

On February 28, 2022, Derek Jeter announced his resignation as CEO of the Miami Marlins and sold his 4% ownership stake in the team after more than four years in the position.

July 18, 2022: Debut of The Captain Documentary Miniseries

On July 18, 2022, The Captain, a documentary miniseries about Derek Jeter's life and career, premiered on ESPN.

September 8, 2022: Launched Arena Club

On September 8, 2022, Derek Jeter announced the launch of Arena Club, a card grading, storage vault, and marketplace platform, in collaboration with entrepreneur Brian Lee and various capital venture firms.