Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Derek Jeter

By Denise I Smithson

Derek Jeter

Derek Jeter was born in June of 1974 in Pequannok, New Jersey. His family later relocated to Michigan, where Jeter played high school baseball and basketball in Kalamazoo. Jeter went on to become the sixth overall pick in the first round of the draft when he was chosen by the New York Yankees in 1996.

Jeter soon became established as one of the best players in the American League. He received the Rookie of Year award in his first season with the Yankees. With each passing year, he continued to improve at the plate and he was outstanding as an infielder in his shortstop position. Jeter was the first rookie in 34 years to be given a starting position as a shortstop. Derek Jeter has since become one of modern baseballs most recognized stars.

Jeter was instrumental in the Yankees World Series sweep of the Atlanta Braves in 1995. In 1996, Jeter scored five runs in five hits. Though the Yankees didnt make it to the World Series in 1997, Jeter had impressive batting statistics that year, with a .291 batting average, 10 home runs, and 70 RBIs. By the end of his 1998 season, he had earned a .324 batting average, with 19 home runs, 84 RBIs, and 203 total hits. He was the leagues high scorer with 127 runs.

In 1999, Jeter and his agent were unable to come to any agreement with the Yankees on his new contract so they entered into arbitration with George Steinbrenner, the owner of the Yankees. The goal was to come up with an agreeable figure to be paid for his new contract. Jeter came out of arbitration a winner with one-year $5 million contract. This made Jeter the highest paid player in baseball history with just a few years of service.

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.

In 2000, the New York Yankees faced the New York Mets in World Series Play. Jeter started game four of the series with a home run hit off the first pitch of the game. In his next at-bat, Jeter hit a triple and scored, resulting in a three-run lead by the Yankees. The New York Yankees won the World 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.

Jeter has the distinction of being the first player in history to receive both the World Series MVP and All-Star Game MVP awards in a single season. He won both awards in 2000. He has been an American League All-Star seven times. - 16928

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