Derek Jeter was born on June 26, 1974 in Pequannock, New Jersey, but reared in Kalamazoo Michigan where he became one of the nation's most sought-after high school baseball players.
Biography and Career :
Recruited heavily by the University of Michigan, Derek Jeter instead chose to sign with the Yankees after being drafted his senior year when he was named the National High School Player of the Year.
Derek Jeter supported the Yankees' decision to make him their first round pick by winning the minor league Player of the Year award. He hit .344 at Triple A Columbus and the Yankees were chomping at the bit to get him in the lineup.
Rising quickly through the minor leagues, Derek Jeter played briefly with the Yankees in 1995 and then became the Yanks' everyday shortstop i
n 1996. Just 21 on Opening Day, Derek Jeter became the first Yankee rookie since 1962 to start at shortstop. He wasn't awed by the bright lights, however, hitting .314 and helping the Yankees to the World Series championship under manager Joe Torre. Always respectful, the young Derek Jeter referred to his skipper as "Mr. Torre" in the clubhouse and in interviews with an amused media corps. But it wasn't a rookie act. Derek Jeter continues to call Torre "Mister" even now as the Yankees celebrate their fourth championship in five years. Capping the season with the Rookie of the Year award in November, Derek Jeter was already a sensation in New York. His youth, good looks, success and trendy clothes captured the fancy of fans and non-fans.
Derek Jeter was just getting started. In 1998 (24) Derek Jeter was named to his first All Star team. Solid in the field and dangerous at the plate, Derek Jeter developed more muscle power by 1999. As the Yankees sought their second straight Series title and third in four years, Derek Jeter hit .348 but also belted a career high 24 homers, 102 RBI and a slugging percentage of .552.
In 2000, Derek Jeter was again spectacular. He was the All Star game MVP, thanks to a first inning home run that propelled the American League to victory. But he saved his best for the post-season. Derek Jeter continued his streak of errorless play at shortstop (he hasn't made one in the Series since '96) and his bat was a big factor in another Yankees championship. In game 2, he doubled and then scored the decisive run in a 6-5 win over the Mets. His homer in game five tied the score of a game the Yankees would win to capture the title. Derek Jeter was named the Series MVP. No player in major league history had ever won both the All Star and World Series MVP trophies in the same season.
Derek Jeter continued to lead the Yankees in 2001, the two highlight of his seasons coming in the playoffs. In the do or die Game 3 of the Divisional series, the Yankee shortstop made a magical defensive play, redirecting an errant throw, like a masterful basketball point guard shuffling an assist to a power forward, from rightfielder Shane Spencer to catcher Jorge Posada, who tagged out Jeremy Giambi just in time to save a 1-0 lead. In the World Series, Derek Jeter became the first player to hit a home run in November with a dramatic game-winner.
Derek Jeter was born on June 26, 1974 in Pequannock, New Jersey, but reared in Kalamazoo Michigan where he became one of the nation's most sought-after high school baseball players. 
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