Derek Sanderson Jeter

Derek Jeter (http://www.popstarsplus.com/images/DerekJeterPicture.jpg)

Derek Jeter once said, “My heroes, my dreams, and my future lies in Yankee Stadium and they can’t take that from me.” Derek became a Yankee in 1992 after being drafted sixth, straight out of high school. His quote exemplifies how he felt after turning down a scholarship from the University of Michigan. Derek’s overall statistics from his Yankee career has hit over 2150 times and 180 career homeruns. When growing up Derek was actually inspired by his grandmother after she took him to his first Yankee game.

Derek Sanderson Jeter was born on June 26, 1974 in Pequannock, New Jersey. His father, Charles, and mother, Dorothy, were German, African, and Irish. The Jeter family moved to Michigan when Derek was four. Derek was inspired by his own grandmother when he was five years old. When growing up, Derek idolized Dave Winfield and then everything changed in his life. Derek had truly strict parents when growing up. His parents did not let him go to his friends' houses or any parties that he was invited to. Derek’s parents were intense and sometimes Derek felt that they did not want him to succeed.

Derek went to Kalamazoo Central High School and won several sports awards there. In high school, he won 1992 High School Player of the Year by the American Baseball Coaches Association, the 1992 Gatorade High School Player of the year award, and USA Today's High School Player of the Year. He only struck out once his junior year. After turning down a full ride to the University of Michigan, he was drafted 6th out of high school in 1992. His first minor league game was in 1992. After the draft he decided to play minor league ball and won a plethora awards in the minor league, such as the 1993 South Atlantic League All-Star (SS), 1994 Florida State League All-Star (SS), 1994 Baseball America 1st Team Minor League All-Star (SS), 1994 Minor League Player of the Year, 1994 NY Yankees Minor League Player of the Year, 1994 Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year, 1994 Florida State League Most Valuable Player, 1995 International League All-Star (SS).

In the major leagues when playing for the New York Yankees, Derek Jeter was playing well and still is. Derek Jeter has won plenty of awards as a Yankee such as 1996 AL Rookie of the Year, 1999/2004 Baseball America 1st Team Major League All Star (SS), 2000 All-Star Game MVP, 2000 World Series MVP, 2006 TSN Award. He also won the 2006 Hank Aaron Award, 2006 AL Silver Slugger (SS), 3 Gold Gloves in 2004, 2005, and 2006 and 3 New York Yankee Player of the Year awards in 1998, 1999, 2006. Awards he has won and the life he has gone through is what inspired me to make him my hero.

Derek has characteristics such as respect and gratitude. He is helpful and supportive. When not playing baseball, Derek helps and cares for other people who need help in the Turn 2 Foundation, a charity he founded to help kids avoid drugs. Some people think that Derek is rich and he doesn’t deserve his money. They are wrong. Derek makes money by being an extremely good baseball player, and he also makes money off of his baseball cleats. Jeter is an immense person who cares not only for himself but for other people. He has played over 2,000 games and succeeded in almost every game. Derek Jeter is my hero.