Derek Jeter, captain and shortstop of the New York Yankees, will be the featured guest in a moderated question-and-answer chat at Hamilton College on Wednesday, Dec. 10, at 7:30 p.m., in the Margaret Bundy Scott Field House. Jeter will appear as the next guest in Hamilton’s Sacerdote Great Names Series. The event is free and open to the public. Further details will be announced in September.
Jeter, whose career with the Yankees is in its 20th year, is known for his work ethic and dedication to the game of baseball. He announced in February that he will retire after the 2014 season. Jeter has built a reputation as an unmatched leader both on and off the field, earning the respect of teammates and opponents alike. He is a five-time World Series champion and, on July 9, 2011, became part of baseball’s exclusive 3,000-hit club.
When Jeter announced his retirement from baseball, Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig proclaimed the Yankees shortstop as the player who best represented the sport during Selig’s 22-year tenure as commissioner. “I’ll have plenty to say during the course of the year, but no player in my time has represented this sport any better than Derek Jeter,” Selig said. “He really has, in many ways, been the face of baseball, and I am proud of him. He’s just been a great player on the field, but to be frank with you, a better person off the field.”
In 1996, Jeter established the Turn 2 Foundation to give back to the communities with which he has a close connection, including West Michigan, Tampa, Fla., and New York City. As the driving force behind the foundation and chairman of its board, Jeter satisfies his passion for inspiring youth to make healthy life choices through ventures that promote academic excellence, leadership development and positive behavior. Since its launch, the Turn 2 Foundation has awarded more than $19 million in grants to create and support signature programs that motivate young people to turn away from drugs and alcohol and “Turn 2” healthy lifestyles.
Jeter has received numerous accolades for his on-field skill and his commitment to community service, including: the World Series MVP (2000); 13 MLB All-Star nods; five Gold Glove Awards; five Silver Slugger Awards; AL Rookie of the Year honors (1996); the Roberto Clemente Award (2009); the Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year Award (2009); The Sporting News Good Guy in Sports Award (2002); the Michigan Association of School Administrators Champion for Children Award (2005); the Joe Torre Safe at Home MVP Award (2010); and the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award (2010). He was named the 11th captain of the New York Yankees by team owner George Steinbrenner in 2003.
In 2012, Siena College recognized Jeter with a Doctor of Humane Letters degree for his leadership, accomplishments on the baseball field, and dedication to improving the lives of young people through the Turn 2 Foundation.
Consistently recognized as baseball’s most marketable player from early in his career, Jeter has developed strong corporate partnerships with such notable brands as Apollo Jets, Avon, Gatorade, Hard Rock, Jordan Brand, Luvo Inc., Movado, Rawlings, Steiner Sports and 24 Hour Fitness.
Jeter had his words and life lessons published in 2000 in The New York Times bestseller, The Life You Imagine, and in 2002 in You’re a Star (Spanish and English versions).
In November 2013, Jeter and Simon & Schuster announced a partnership to establish the Jeter Publishing imprint, which will encompass adult non-fiction titles, children’s picture books, middle grade fiction and ready-to-read children’s books.