Derek Jeter , born June 26, 1974, in Pequannock, New Jersey, is an American former professional baseball player. As a shortstop for the New York Yankees, he was a multiple All-Star selection and a popular player. Jeter was drafted by the Yankees in 1992 after an impressive high school career. He became the Yankees' starting shortstop in 1996, earning AL Rookie of the Year. Jeter acquired a reputation as a premier postseason hitter, leading the Yankees to World Series victories in 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2009. From 2004 to 2006, Jeter won three consecutive Gold Glove Awards. He retired in 2014 with 3,464 career hits, the sixth highest total in MLB history. In 2020, he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

What sport did Derek Jeter play professionally?

Derek Jeter professionally played baseball as a shortstop for the New York Yankees in Major League Baseball (MLB). He was drafted by the Yankees in 1992 and made his debut in 1995. Jeter was a 14-time All-Star, won five Gold Glove awards, and received the Silver Slugger Award five times. In 2000, he was named MVP of the All-Star Game and the World Series. Jeter helped the Yankees win five World Series championships. He retired in 2014 and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2020.

What position did Derek Jeter usually play?

Derek Jeter was a professional baseball player whose primary position was shortstop for the New York Yankees. Jeter started as the team's shortstop in 1996. From 2004 to 2006, he received three consecutive American League (AL) Gold Glove awards as the best-fielding shortstop in the league. Jeter retired in September 2014 and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2020.

What are some of Derek Jeter's most significant achievements in baseball?

Derek Jeter , an American baseball shortstop for the New York Yankees, achieved significant milestones in his career. Jeter was named AL Rookie of the Year in 1996, and he helped the Yankees win multiple World Series titles, earning the World Series MVP award in 2000. From 2004 to 2006, he won three consecutive Gold Glove awards and secured the AL Hank Aaron Award and the AL Silver Slugger Award in 2006. Jeter reached his 3,000th career hit on July 9, 2011, and retired with 3,464 hits, the sixth-highest in MLB history. He is a 14-time All-Star and won five World Series championships. In 2020, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

How has Derek Jeter impacted baseball and inspired future players?

Derek Jeter, the New York Yankees' shortstop, significantly impacted baseball through his exceptional skills and leadership, earning him a spot as one of the most popular players of his time. Jeter's achievements include multiple All-Star selections, five Gold Glove awards, and five Silver Slugger Awards. His contributions led the Yankees to five World Series championships, solidifying his reputation as a premier postseason hitter. In 2000, he was named MVP of both the All-Star Game and the World Series. Jeter's influence extends beyond statistics, inspiring future players with his dedication and sportsmanship. In 2020, he was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Derek Jeter

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Quick Facts

In full:: Derek Sanderson Jeter

Born:: June 26, 1974, Pequannock, New Jersey, U.S. (age 52)

Awards And Honors:: Rookie of the Year; All-Star Game; World Series; Baseball Hall of Fame (2020); Gold Glove (2006); Gold Glove (2005); Gold Glove (2004); Most Valuable Player (2000); Gold Glove (x5); Silver Slugger Award (x5); World Series MVP; Rookie of the Year Award; All-Star Game MVP; 5 World Series championships; 14x All-Star

Height/Weight:: 6 ft 3 inches, 195 lb (190 cm, 88 kg)

Batting Hand:: right

Derek Jeter

American baseball player

Also known as: Derek Sanderson Jeter

Written and fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

Last updated

Sep. 26, 2026 •History

Top Questions

Who is Derek Jeter?
Derek Jeter, born June 26, 1974, in Pequannock, New Jersey, is an American former professional baseball player. As a shortstop for the New York Yankees, he was a multiple All-Star selection and a popular player.

Jeter was drafted by the Yankees in 1992 after an impressive high school career. He became the Yankees' starting shortstop in 1996, earning AL Rookie of the Year. Jeter acquired a reputation as a premier postseason hitter, leading the Yankees to World Series victories in 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2009.

From 2004 to 2006, Jeter won three consecutive Gold Glove Awards. He retired in 2014 with 3,464 career hits, the sixth highest total in MLB history. In 2020, he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
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2. Derek Jeter: Facts & Related Content
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What sport did Derek Jeter play professionally?
Derek Jeter professionally played baseball as a shortstop for the New York Yankees in Major League Baseball (MLB). He was drafted by the Yankees in 1992 and made his debut in 1995.

Jeter was a 14-time All-Star, won five Gold Glove awards, and received the Silver Slugger Award five times. In 2000, he was named MVP of the All-Star Game and the World Series. Jeter helped the Yankees win five World Series championships. He retired in 2014 and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2020.
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1. Derek Jeter
2. Derek Jeter: Facts & Related Content
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
For which Major League Baseball team did Derek Jeter spend his entire career?
Derek Jeter spent his entire Major League Baseball (MLB) career as a shortstop for the New York Yankees. Drafted by the Yankees in 1992, he debuted in 1995 and played until his retirement in 2014. Jeter was selected to multiple American League (AL) All-Star teams and was one of the most popular players of his time. Over his career, he achieved 3,465 hits, a .310 batting average, and 260 home runs. Jeter is a five-time Gold Glove winner and five-time Silver Slugger Award winner. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2020.
2 Britannica Sources
1. Derek Jeter
2. Derek Jeter: Facts & Related Content
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What position did Derek Jeter usually play?
Derek Jeter was a professional baseball player whose primary position was shortstop for the New York Yankees. Jeter started as the team's shortstop in 1996. From 2004 to 2006, he received three consecutive American League (AL) Gold Glove awards as the best-fielding shortstop in the league. Jeter retired in September 2014 and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2020.
2 Britannica Sources
1. Derek Jeter
2. Derek Jeter: Facts & Related Content
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What are some of Derek Jeter's most significant achievements in baseball?
Derek Jeter, an American baseball shortstop for the New York Yankees, achieved significant milestones in his career. Jeter was named AL Rookie of the Year in 1996, and he helped the Yankees win multiple World Series titles, earning the World Series MVP award in 2000. From 2004 to 2006, he won three consecutive Gold Glove awards and secured the AL Hank Aaron Award and the AL Silver Slugger Award in 2006. Jeter reached his 3,000th career hit on July 9, 2011, and retired with 3,464 hits, the sixth-highest in MLB history. He is a 14-time All-Star and won five World Series championships. In 2020, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
2 Britannica Sources
1. Derek Jeter
2. Derek Jeter: Facts & Related Content
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
How has Derek Jeter impacted baseball and inspired future players?
Derek Jeter, the New York Yankees' shortstop, significantly impacted baseball through his exceptional skills and leadership, earning him a spot as one of the most popular players of his time.

Jeter's achievements include multiple All-Star selections, five Gold Glove awards, and five Silver Slugger Awards. His contributions led the Yankees to five World Series championships, solidifying his reputation as a premier postseason hitter. In 2000, he was named MVP of both the All-Star Game and the World Series. Jeter's influence extends beyond statistics, inspiring future players with his dedication and sportsmanship. In 2020, he was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
2 Britannica Sources
1. Derek Jeter
2. Derek Jeter: Facts & Related Content
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Derek Jeter (born June 26, 1974, Pequannock, New Jersey, U.S.) is an American professional baseball player who, as a shortstop for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB), was selected to multiple American League (AL) All-Star teams and was one of the most popular players of his time.

Jeter grew up in Michigan and started playing Little League baseball when he was about five years old. After an impressive high school baseball record, including a .557 batting average in his junior year, he was drafted as a first-round pick in 1992 by the Yankees. He started at the minor league Class A Tampa Yankees and did poorly, with 21 errors in 58 games. Over the next few years, Jeter improved and was named Most Outstanding Major League Prospect by the South Atlantic League in 1993 and Minor League Player of the Year by Baseball America in 1994.

In 1996 Jeter became the starting shortstop for the Yankees. In his first season he carried a batting average of .314 and had 78 runs batted in (RBIs). He was named AL Rookie of the Year, and the Yankees won the World Series against the Atlanta Braves. In 1998 the Yankees had another World Series victory, this time against the San Diego Padres. The Yankees again beat the Braves in the World Series in 1999, and Jeter acquired a reputation as one of the premier postseason hitters in baseball after posting a combined batting average of .375 in the Yankees’ three play-off series. In 2000 Jeter was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the All-Star Game and the World Series, as the Yankees defeated the New York Mets to become the first team to win three consecutive World Series since 1974.

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Serena Williams poses with the Daphne Akhurst Trophy after winning the Women's Singles final against Venus Williams of the United States on day 13 of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 28, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (tennis, sports)

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From 2004 to 2006 Jeter won three consecutive AL Gold Glove awards as the best-fielding shortstop in the league. He also won the AL Hank Aaron Award (for best overall hitter) and the AL Silver Slugger Award (for best offense at a position) in 2006, a season in which he finished second in the balloting for AL MVP. In 2009 Jeter recorded his 2,674th career hit, breaking the record for the most hits by a shortstop in major league history. The Yankees ended the 2009 season with a victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series. On July 9, 2011, Jeter registered his 3,000th career hit, becoming just the 28th player to reach that mark.

His play had fallen off in the 2010 and 2011 seasons, but he rebounded to bat .316 and tally a league-leading 216 hits in 2012. However, his season came to a premature end when he fractured his ankle in game one of the AL Championship Series (ALCS) and missed the remainder of the Yankees’ postseason (which ended with a loss in the ALCS) as well as all but 17 games of the 2013 season. Jeter announced before the 2014 season that it would be his last, and he retired in September of that year with the sixth highest hit total (3,464) in major league history.

Jeter was part of an ownership group that purchased the Miami Marlins in 2017, and he became the franchise’s CEO. Over the next four seasons, the Marlins posted losing records, except in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. That year Miami advanced to the division series, where it was swept in three games. In 2022 Jeter stepped down as CEO, and he also severed financial ties with the team.

In 2020 Jeter was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, coming just one vote shy of unanimous induction.

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