For the second consecutive year, the World Series will stretch into the month of November. With an opportunity for November greatness, let’s look back at Derek Jeter’s home run, giving the New York Yankees legend the nickname Mr. November.
Fifteen years ago today, New York Yankees legend Derek Jeter hit the first of 15 home runs to be hit in the month of November, adding legend to his already impressive Major League career. Not only did his feat coin the nickname “Mr. November”, it is remembered as one of the greatest moments in postseason history.
Leading up to the 2001 World Series, Jeter was seven seasons into his 20-year career in the pinstripes. He already posted career-highs in hits (219), homers (24), RBIs (102) and batting average (.349). Furthermore, he was a four-time All-Star, earned the Rookie of the Year in 1996 and a three-time World Series champion.
The Yankees defeated the 116-game winning Seattle Mariners to face the Arizona Diamondbacks in the World Series. However, due to a week delay caused by the September 11 attack, Game 1 was pushed back to October 27. As a result, Game 4 became the first baseball game to be played in the month of November when it stretched into extra innings.
Prior to 2002, the postseason never had an opportunity to reach November. From the first World Series in 1903 until 1986, the postseason was a one-round playoff between the top two teams from each league. Baseball expanded their postseason schedule in 1969 to accommodate the addition of four new franchises. Over the next twenty years, the playoffs were set up with two rounds and four teams.
Their final adjustment before the 2001 came in 1995 when they instituted the division series. By doing so, they opened the door for twice the number of teams to compete in the postseason.
Mr. November
All of the altercations to the postseason set the stage for Jeter’s accomplishment. When the Yankees tied the game with two runs in the bottom of the ninth, Jeter completed their comeback in the bottom of the tenth.
Four minutes after the clock struck midnight, Jeter hit a walk off home run to become Mr. November. He not only tied the World Series, but hit baseball’s first November home run. The Yankees ended up losing the championship in seven games, but nothing could overshadow Jeter’s legendary homer.
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Since then, only nine postseason baseball games reached November. While there have been 14 other November home runs and a chance for more in the 2016 World Series, Jeter’s home run is remembered as the greatest.