New York Yankees News & Rumors: Derek Jeter's Last Games at Home Begin This Weekend
The 2014 New York Yankee season hasn't exactly met expectations that most fans had hoped for. The Yankees are currently 79-74, good enough for second place in the American League East and seventh overall in the American League.
The Yankees only have nine games remaining, but they are currently involved in an eight-game home stand. During this eight-game home stand, they will host the Baltimore Orioles and the Toronto Blue Jays. These games hold huge significance because they will be the final games of Derek Jeter's career.
Since entering the league in 1995, Jeter has been one of the best players in the game. Jeter's supreme batting has guided the Pinstripes to five World Series titles over his near 20-year career. Jeter has an outstanding .309 batting average and 3,455 hits. Despite playing on the greatest franchise in sports history with notable players such as Joe DiMaggio, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Mickey Mantle, Jeter still has the most hits in Yankees franchise history.
The biggest thing missing from Jeter's resumé was the Most Valuable Player Award. But Jeter overcame the voters by showing up in the postseason.
During Jeter's playoff career, he batted an impressive .308 at the plate. He saved one of his best series performances for the 2000 World Series when his Yankees faced off against the cross-town rival New York Mets in a subway series. Jeter registered a hit and scored a run in every game of that World Series including a home run in the final two games. For his incredible postseason play, he was named the MVP of the World Series.
Mr. October always showed up in the postseason for the Bronx Bombers.
Aside from timely clutch hits and all-time franchise records, Jeter was also an incredible fielder. His career fielding percentage is .9763, which ranks among the highest of all-time. Throughout his career Jeter made memorable defensive plays. One of the most famous was his "flip play" during the 2001 American League Division series against Oakland Athletics.
The Yankees final home stand will be played against the Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles. Currently on a three-game win streak, the Yankees still have to play the Blue Jays two more games. After that, they will host the Orioles four consecutive days. The final three games of the Yankees season will be played in Boston, against the Red Sox.
It is unlikely that Yankees will go on to make the playoffs this season, but it is still possible. The Yankees would need to win a majority of their remaining games and need the Kansas City Royals and Seattle Mariners to lose.
Jeter is without a doubt one of the greatest overall players in MLB history, and one of the best athletes of the 21st century. A great role model for as well for younger kids, as well. "The Captain" will be missed after this season by every Yankee fan who had the pleasure of watching him play.
Cooperstown awaits.
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