|
Derek Jeter
 Born Derek Sanderson Jeter in Pequannock, New Jersey on June 26 1974, he was raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan and later was voted "most likely to play shortstop for the New York Yankees" in junior high, and eventually became one of the nation's most sought-after high school baseball players.
Although awarded a baseball scholarship to the University of Michigan, 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.
Rising quickly through the minors, Jeter became the first Yankee rookie since 1962 to start as a shortstop and from the start exhibited his now-trademark unflappability toward playing in the big leagues.
To New York fans, he was cool, likeable and one of the best-dressed major leaguers in the game - never mind his astounding muscle power at the plate and skillful fielding that ultimately won him the Rookie of the Year award that year.
Since then, Jeter has continued to wow the crowds with expert hitting and split-second fielding. In one particular career highlight in 2000 he became the only player in major league history ever to win both the All Star and World Series MVP trophies in the same season.
|
