Derek Jeter – first year on ballot
The question is not if Derek Jeter will be inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame, but rather if he will be the second player to receive 100% of the vote.
It is easy to see why that would be the case. Jeter was everything a team could ask for. He was considered the epitome of class, the captain of the historic Yankees, the biggest part of the Core Four. Jeter was a star on the biggest stage, a clutch performer who helped guide the franchise to five World Series victories, earning the World Series MVP award in 2000.
It is seemingly impossible to list his accolades. Jeter was a 14 time All Star, won the Rookie of the Year award in 1996, and won five Sliver Slugger awards and five Gold Gloves. During his career, he produced a .310/.377/.440 batting line, hitting 544 doubles, 260 homers, and stealing 358 bases. His 3465 hits rank sixth all time in MLB history, and he produced eight seasons with over 200 hits.
Yes, there are “blemishes” to Jeter’s resume if one wants to nitpick. He never won a regular season MVP award, but he did finish in the top ten eight times. And there are questions about how many of his Gold Glove awards were deserved. But all of that is irrelevant – Jeter is one of the greatest shortstops in the history of the game, arguably right there with Honus Wagner for the title.
We’ll be seeing Derek Jeter in Cooperstown this coming summer. Chances are, he will join teammate Mariano Rivera in getting every possible vote.