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Derek Jeter’s Hall of Fame Moments: #5 – The King of New York

As we inch closer to the announcement of Derek Jeter being inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, we’ve assembled five of our favorite Jeter moments that capture the kind of player, leader and icon No. 2 was in his 20 year career with the New York Yankees. We hope you enjoy the videos our producer Christian Renzi has put together to go along with each moment.

Leading off at number 5 is Derek’s Game 4 first pitch home run to swing the momentum of the 2000 World Series back in the Yankees’ favor after dropping Game 3 by a score of 4-2 at Shea Stadium.

Although the Yankees entered Game 4 with a 2-1 series lead, it was clear that the Mets had built some momentum throughout the first three games. The Yanks took Game 1 in extra innings on a Jose Vizcaino single to score Tino Martinez from third. Following an extra innings victory in Game 1, the Yankees escaped Game 2 with another win but not without some late inning drama. In the top of the ninth, an uncharacteristic outing by Jeff Nelson and Mariano Rivera saw a 6-0 lead fade into a 6-5 nail-bitter in a flash.

The Mets followed up their 9th inning rally in Game 2 with a victory over Orlando Hernandez in Game 3, “El Duque’s” first loss in his postseason career. The series was now 2-1 in the Yankees favor; however, there was a clear need for a spark and The Captain obliged.

Broadcaster Gary Thorne mentioned Jeter’s move into the leadoff spot in hopes of getting the leadoff batter aboard, something both teams struggled with to that point in the series. Not only did Jeter get aboard but he took Bobby Jones’ first pitch of the game deep to left field for a 1-0 lead.

Clutch can be described in a myriad of ways yet to put it simply, it’s a trust that the player will come through in the biggest moments. Derek Jeter’s career embodies that trait. Although The Captain never led the league in homers, when the team needed a lift he was there calmly pacing around the bases without a glimpse of the braggadocious style in some of today’s hitters.

The confidence that he could get the job done was infectious and spread throughout the team on their way to winning their third straight World Championship as the Yanks won Game 4 by a score of 3-2 and clinched the Series with a 4-2 victory. By winning their third straight title the Yankees became the first team since the Oakland Athletics of the 1972 through 1974 to accomplish the feat.