Who is Derek Jeter? – Biography
Derek Jeter (full name: Derek Sanderson Jeter) is an American former professional baseball shortstop, businessman, and baseball executive from Pequannock Township, New Jersey. He has also been the chief executive officer (CEO) and also part owner of the Miami Marlins of Major League Baseball (MLB) since September 2017. He spent his whole 20-year MLB playing career with the New York Yankees as a shortstop. Jeter was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame as part of its class of 2020 in his first year of eligibility.
Being a five-time World Series champion, Jeter is regarded as one of the primary contributors to the Yankees’ success of the late 1990s and early 2000s for his hitting, baserunning, fielding, and leadership. He has also been the Yankees’ all-time career leader in,
- hits (3,465)
- doubles (544)
- games played (2,747)
- stolen bases (358)
- times on base (4,716)
- plate appearances (12,602)
- bats (11,195)
He has received five accolades including 14 All-Star selections, five Gold Glove Awards, five Silver Slugger Awards, two Hank Aaron Awards, and also a Roberto Clemente Award. He was also the 28th player to reach 3,000 hits and finished his career ranked sixth in MLB history in career hits and first among shortstops. The Yankees retired his uniform number 2 in 2017.
He is also one of the most heavily marketed athletes of his generation. Jeter is very much involved in numerous product endorsements. Being a celebrity, Jeter’s personal life and relationships with other celebrities have drawn the attention of the media.
Derek Jeter High School
Jeter attended Kalamazoo Central High School, where he ran cross country in the fall, played basketball in the winter and also baseball in the spring. Jeter posted high batting averages for the school’s baseball team; he batted .557 in his sophomore year and .508 as a junior.
During his final year, he batted .508 and compiled 23 runs batted in (RBIs), 21 walks, four home runs, a .637 on-base percentage (OBP), a .831 slugging percentage (SLG), 12 stolen bases (in 12 attempts), and also only one strikeout. He also received several honors after his senior season. This has included an All-State honorable mention, distinguishing him as one of the best high school baseball players in Michigan. He has also received
the Kalamazoo Area B’nai B’rith Award for Scholar-Athlete, the 1992 High School Player of the Year Award from the American Baseball Coaches Association, the 1992 Gatorade High School Player of the year award, and also USA Today’s High School Player of the Year.
Derek Jeter College
Jeter then earned a baseball scholarship to attend the University of Michigan also play
college baseball for the Michigan Wolverines.
How Old is Derek Jeter?
Jeter is 45 years old as of 2019. He was born on June 26, 1974, in Pequannock Township, New Jersey.
Derek Jeter Family – Parents – Father
Jeter was born to Dorothy (née Connors) an accountant and Sanderson Charles Jeter who was a substance abuse counselor. His parents met while serving in the United States Army in Germany.
His father, Sanderson, played baseball at Fisk University in Tennessee as a shortstop and also holds a Ph.D. As a child, his parents made him sign a contract every year that defined acceptable and unacceptable forms of behavior.
His mother also instilled a positive attitude in Jeter insisting that he not use the word “can’t”. His family was a baseball family. Jeter has a younger sister Sharlee (born c. 1979) who was also a softball star in high school. His family lived in New Jersey until Derek was four years old, at which point they moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan. Jeter began playing little league football at the age of five. In their early years, the children lived with their parents during the school year and then spent their summers with their grandparents in New Jersey.
Jeter became a passionate fan of the New York Yankees after attending their games with his grandparents.
Derek Jeter Wife
Jeter is married to model Hannah Davis whom he had been dating since 2012, became engaged in 2015. The couple got married in July 2016. Jeter and Davis share two daughters.
Jeter has also been into numerous relationships with celebrities. He was in a well-publicized relationship with singer Mariah Carey from 1997 to 1998. He has also dated model Vida Guerra, former Miss Universe Lara Dutta, television personality Vanessa Minnillo, singer Joy Enriquez, and actresses Jessica Biel, Minka Kelly, and Jordana Brewster.
Derek Jeter Children
Jeter has a daughter with his wife. Davis announced that she was pregnant with their first child on February 13, 2017. She was born in August 2017. The couple welcomed their second child still a daughter in January 2019.
Derek Jeter Draft
He was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 1st round (6th) of the 1992 MLB June Amateur Draft from Central HS (Kalamazoo, MI).
The Houston Astros failed to choose him fearing he would insist on a salary bonus of at least $1 million to forgo college for a professional contract. They chose Cal State Fullerton outfielder Phil Nevin instead, who signed for $700,000. The Hall of Fame pitcher Hal Newhouser felt so strongly about Jeter’s potential that he quit his job with the Astros. This was in protest after they ignored his drafting advice.
The Yankees scout Dick Groch, who was assigned to scout n the Midwest, watched Jeter participate in an all-star camp held at Western Michigan University. The Yankees officials were however concerned that Jeter would attend college instead of signing a professional contract, Groch convinced them to select him, saying, “the only place Derek Jeter’s going is to Cooperstown”. They finally drafted Jeter who chose to turn professional, signing for $800,000.
Derek Jeter Career Highlights
- 14× All-Star (1998–2002, 2004, 2006–2012, 2014)
- 5× World Series champion (1996, 1998–2000, 2009)
- World Series MVP (2000)
- AL Rookie of the Year (1996)
- 5× Gold Glove Award (2004–2006, 2009–2010)
- 5× Silver Slugger Award (2006–2009, 2012)
- 2× AL Hank Aaron Award (2006, 2009)
- Roberto Clemente Award (2009)
- New York Yankees captain (2003–2014)
- New York Yankees No. 2 retired
- Monument Park honoree
Derek Jeter Stats
- Batting average .310
- Hits 3,465
- Home runs 260
- Runs batted in 1,311
Derek Jeter Weight
Jeter’s listed weight is 195lb (190cm, 88kg)
Derek Jeter Miami Marlins
A group including Jeter and principal owner Bruce Sherman purchased the Miami Marlins from Jeffrey Loria on October 2, 2017. Jeter was then named as CEO to oversee baseball operations.
Derek Jeter Net Worth
Being one of the richest former MLB players, Jeter boasts an estimated net worth of $220 million.