New York Yankees legend Derek Jeter shared the recipe to his past October success with ESNY’s Rob Lepelstat: “I wasn’t afraid to fail.”
“It was a dream come true. Its the only thing I ever wanted to do,” Derek Jeter told Elite Sports NY when describing playing his entire career as shortstop for the New York Yankees.
On a Monday night at the Cipriani Wall Street in downtown Manhattan, the Yankees legend shared his feeling about playing an entire career for the Bronx Bombers while also sharing his recipe for October success.
Jeter was hosting his 23rd annual Foundation Gala in New York City.
“It’s been a long time from when we started,” Jeter said. ”
I don’t think we could have ever sat down and say it would grow to how big it is now. It’s something my entire family is so proud of.”
Derek Jeter on why he played his best baseball in October: "I wasn't afraid to fail." @RobLep1 #NextManUp pic.twitter.com/gyI19dUCjl
— ESNY (@EliteSportsNY) October 20, 2019
From the Turn 2 website: “The star-studded gala celebrated Turn 2 and its work to make a positive difference in the lives of young people. The event raised more than $1 million for the Foundation’s programs that foster academic achievement, healthy lifestyles, positive behavior, social change and leadership development.”
It seems ridiculous to rattle off Jeter’s stats but here we go:
- 14-time All-Star
- 5-time World Series Champion
- World Series MVP
- AL Rookie of the Year
- 5-time Gold Glover
- Yankees Captain (2003-14)
- No. 2 Jersey retired by the Yankees
Jeter was nicknamed Mr. November for his postseason heroics, referring specifically to his clutch game-winning home run in Game 4 of the 2001 World Series. Due to the tragedy of 9/11, the series stretched into November, becoming the first playoff game to be played in that month in MLB history.
“Wasn’t afraid to fail was the big thing,” Jeter proclaimed. Everyone’s failed before so I always wasn’t afraid of it.”
He had a career .309 postseason batting average and a .321 batting average in the World Series. Except for 2008, 2013 and 2014, the Yankees qualified for the postseason every year of Jeter’s major league career.
He holds MLB postseason records for games played (158), plate appearances (734), at-bats (650), hits (200), singles (143), doubles (32), triples (5), runs scored (111), total bases (302) and strikeouts (135).
“Dream come true,” Jeter said when describing his entire 20-year career playing shortstop for the Yankees. “It’s the only thing I ever wanted to do. I’m blessed with that.”
Jeter is also third in home runs (20), fourth in runs batted in (61), fifth in base-on-balls (66) and sixth in stolen bases (18).
Aaron Judge is the current face of the franchise for the Bronx bombers. He’s a 2x All-Star, AL Rookie of the Year and AL home run leader in 2017.
He also holds the record for most home runs in a season hit at home (33; Babe Ruth held the record with 32) and most home runs in a season by a rookie (52; the previous record was 29 held by Joe DiMaggio)
He’s also next in line to be the first Yankees captain since Jeter’s retirement. Despite the similarities, Derek hasn’t put much thought into the comparison.
“I probably haven’t seen as much of him as you have my friend. I’ve got my hands full down in Miami.”
Jeter is currently a part-owner of the Miami Marlins, who finished 57-105 in 2019, last place in the NL East.
