BRONX, N.Y. — On this date in 2017, the New York Yankees honored Derek Jeter with a plaque and by retiring his No. 2 in Monument Park at Yankee Stadium.
The former Yankee shortstop had a legendary career in the Bronx. The Captain won five World Series titles, seven AL pennants, five silver slugger and gold glove awards. Jeter was a 14-time AL All-Star, 2000 World Series and All-Star Game MVP, and the 1996 AL Rookie of the Year.
Jeter, who donned pinstripes from 1995 to 2014, set the franchise record with 3,465 hits.
In Jan. 2020, Jeter was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum with all but one vote. Although he was slated to be inducted this July, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he’ll likely have his day in Cooperstown in 2021.
On a personal note, I’ve been watching Jeter play baseball since his Double-A days in 1994 with the old Eastern League Albany-Colonie Yankees, when he wore No. 27. Granted he was a top prospect then but it was cool to be able to say, “I knew you when.”
