The Captain Is Officially An Inducted Member of the Baseball Hall of Fame
Photo Via: Gabriela Bhaskar — The New York TimesFor Yankees fans who grew up in the 90’s and 2000’s, yesterday marked the final milestone for our generation’s ultimate Yankee icon. Derek Jeter has been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Just like his playing career and social life, Jeter’s ceremony commenced in style with all the stars present. Michael Jordan, Reggie Jackson, Patrick Ewing, Mariano Rivera, C.C. Sabathia, Joe Torre… the list goes on. Among the tens of thousands on hand in upstate New York were some of the most legendary athletes and celebrities of our lifetime.
What else would you expect for The Captain? People today might not quite understand that Derek Jeter was the superstar of all superstars. He was about as big of a household name as one can be in this sport. No, he was not the most talented player in baseball. He never took home a league MVP award. He never hit 30 homers in a single-season. Yet, the Hall of Fame is exactly where he belongs. All but one feeble-minded baseball writer voted No. 2 into the Hall on his first ballot.
That is because there is more to Derek Jeter than what appears on the back of his baseball card, which is impressive enough as it is. He led the most storied franchise in sports throughout its modern dynasty. He navigated the circus that is New York media with ease for two decades. When the lights were brightest, Jeter took control.
He was a career .310 hitter, yet a .308 hitter in the Postseason in 158 games. The Mr. November Home Run. The Flip Play. The Subway Series Leadoff Blast. The Jeffrey Maier Homer. The Dive Into The Stands.
His two-decade long Yankees tenure was filled with memorable moments, iconic plays, and most of all: winning. All Jeter wanted to do was win… and he did. He tallied five World Series championships. He was the heartbeat of the team for all of them. It was truly an incredible career.
Now, he is a Hall of Famer.
RE2PECT.
Photo Via: Associated Press