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Today is a day New York Yankees fans have been eagerly anticipating for a couple of decades at this point. It was supposed to happen in 2020 however it was delayed another year due to COVID-19 but finally The Captain; Derek Jeter has been formally inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame here in Cooperstown. 

 “There was only one thing in my life I wanted to be,” says Jeter. “And that was shortstop for the New York Yankees, and now I am a Yankee forever.”

Jeter was voted into the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 2020, one vote shy of becoming the second player voted in unanimously, something he made sure to make light of.

“Thank you to the baseball writers, all but one of you, who voted for me,” says Jeter jokingly. 

The shortstop’s extensive resume speaks for itself, a 14-time All-Star, 5-time World Series Champion, World Series MVP, 5-time Gold Glove Winner and 5-Time Silver Slugger Winner. He’s 6th in MLB history in hits (3,465) and has a number of post-season records including games (158) and hits (200). 

 “I had one goal during my career, and that was to win more than everyone else, and we did,” says Jeter.

Many of Jeter’s former teammates came out to honor their shortstop. Bernie Williams played the national anthem on his guitar. Long-time Yankees catcher Jorge Posada was also in attendance along with recent retiree CC Sabathia. 2019 Hall of Fame Inductee Mariano Rivera joined Jeter on stage along with former Yankees manager Joe Torre. Hall of Famer and former Yankee Reggie Jackson, perhaps better known as Mr.October, paid homage to Mr.November by showing up in a Jeter jersey. Even NBA Legends Michael Jordan and Patrick Ewing came out to show their respect for number 2. 

 

After thanking his teammates and family, Jeter emphasized how important it was for him to be able to accomplish what he did in New York, for Yankees fans. 

“I was always most comfortable on the field,” says Jeter. “Especially at Yankee Stadium playing in front of you. I always wanted you to be able to count on me. To this day especially right now in this moment, I still represent you and it has been one of the greatest honors in my life.”

Larry Walker, Ted Simmons and Marvin Miller joined Jeter in the Baseball Hall of Fame’s Class of 2020. It was clear though that most people in the crowd  in Cooperstown on Wednesday were there to see the Yankees long-time Captain be formally enshrined into baseball history.