In an age of dubious records and doubts of the validity of the very game itself, Jeter consistently played with reverence to those who came before him and those who would and will grace the presence of a diamond after him: with unprecedented heart and desire, doing the very best he could possibly do, and letting the baseball universe take care of the rest. It’s no coincidence that the recent Yankee culture of winning and performing day in and day out with the swagger of a perennial champion was cultivated with him as the centerpiece of the team. In press conferences and interviews, he never fails to include the title of “Mr.” when talking about his managers or team owners. He has commanded respect by giving it. Jeter stormed onto the baseball scene in 1996, when many of the players who are just now starting to make a name for themselves were in grade school. When asked who these athletes admired growing up, Derek Jeter is a popular response. Suffice to say he has inspired a generation of athletes who have and will contribute not only to the game of baseball but to society, and will inspire others to do the same. 

Jeter’s inspiration reaches beyond the confines of the baseball field. As detailed in his autobiography, “The Life You Imagine,” he grew up in Michigan with only one life ambition: to play shortstop for the New York Yankees. Also as the book details, this goal did not materialize simply because he was an exceptional athlete, but because he was mentally focused on every aspect involved in making his dream come true. That included excelling in his studies, and maintaining faith in himself and his abilities when he experienced setbacks -namely the number of errors he committed in the Minor Leagues making coaches doubt his long-term future with the organization. When Jeter won a Gold Glove at shortstop many years later, having already accomplished everything within baseball that any individual could hope for, it was said that he was exceptionally proud of the award because he continued to work hard on his defense. The commercials for his signature cologne, Driven, make reference to his ability to leave what transpires on the field out of the other components of his life. The suggestion is that Jeter is about more than just baseball. With his Turn 2 Foundation, he has certainly used his baseball influence to touch and to better lives on and away from the ballpark. 

The all-time hits record for the Yankees franchise is currently held by Lou Gehrig, whose Hall-of-Fame career was famously cut short by ALS, the disease that claimed his life and eventually bore his name. When addressing the Yankee faithful for the last time, Gehrig, who accomplished extraordinary things on a baseball field, expressed his feeling of awe at simply being blessed enough to have been given the opportunity to attempt them. I cannot imagine a more worthy successor to this storied record. Congratulations Derek, and thank you for the opportunity to watch your unique accomplishments as a player and a person.