Derek Jeter to Retire From Yankees After 2014 Season: 'It Is Time for the Next Chapter,' Says Legendary Shortstop
Derek Jeter is to retire from the New York Yankees after the 2014 season ends, according to reports. The celebrated shortstop decided to end his decorated career months ago, but only Wednesday revealed the news in a lengthy letter on his Facebook page.
Derek Jeter's retirement letter said that he knew "in [his] heart" that it was time to move on. After 19 seasons in the MLB, 13 All-Star games and five World Series victories, he is finally ready to call it quits at 39.
"I will remember it all: the cheers, the boos, every win, every loss, all the plane trips, the bus rides, the clubhouses, the walks through the tunnel and every drive to and from the Bronx," he wrote. "I have achieved almost every personal and professional goal I have set. I have gotten the very most out of my life playing baseball, and I have absolutely no regrets."
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The legendary shortstop said that his 2012 playoff injury— he fractured his left ankle while reaching for a ground ball, then had another smaller crack in the ankle while recovering— had been hard on him. He said "months ago" when he realized what had happened: some of the fun of playing baseball was gone.
"Last year was a tough one for me. As I suffered through a bunch of injuries, I realize that some of the things that always came easily to me and were always fun had started to become a struggle," Jeter explained. "The one thing I always said to myself was that when baseball started to feel more like a job, it would be time to move forward."
Although he has not yet elaborated on his post-baseball plans, the shortstop has made moves to prepare for his retirement. He created his own company, Jeter Publishing, which will publish nonfiction books, children's literature, and possibly films and television shows, down the line. In addition, he created the Turn 2 Foundation charity in 1996, for which he will undoubtedly have more time after retiring.
Jeter also revealed that he wanted to start a family of his own after dedicating much of his life to his team. Before he goes, though, he said he wants "to help the Yankees reach our goal of winning another championship."
"In the 21-plus years in which I have served as commissioner, Major League Baseball has had no finer ambassador than Derek Jeter," baseball commissioner Bud Selig posted in response on his Twitter page. "Derek is the kind of person that generations have emulated proudly, and he remains an exemplary face of our sport."
