10 replies to this topic

[glanzer]

With the Yankees in town, it got me to thinking about how I remember Derek Jeter helping the Yankees win the 1996 World Series when I was 14 years old. At the time, I was sick and tired of the Braves being in it every year, and recall actually cheering for New York, who had been pretty terrible most of my life to that point, to win it.

Now here's Jeter in 2012, in his 18th season, and really showing no signs of slowing down. Every year I keep thinking he's got to start aging and his skills have to start declining, but he's in all likelihood going to set his career high in hits at his age-38 season!

If a guy like Julio Franco can stick around and continue to be productive into his late 40s, Jeter seems like he could easily do the same if he wanted to.

Anyone think Jeter will still be playing in 2020, in his 26th season, approaching 5000 hits?

[nicksaviking]

Recently the big name athletes have often been hanging it up right around the time they start getting unacceptable contract offers. The Yankees may forever be put in a postion where they will always have to offer $8M+/season deals to Jeter as they still have to answer to the biggest market and biggest fan base on the continent, so you're right, he may play well into his 40's if he wants to do so.

Of course at some point he's not going to be able to physically handle SS, will he accept a full-time DH role or will his pride force him to retire?

[Seth Stohs]

Derek Jeter is incredible. I mean, we're talking inner-circle Hall of Famer. He'll probably wind up with close to 4,000 hits. I have never understood why anyone doesn't completely respect and admire what he is and what he has been. He has stayed out of trouble. Yes, he's been on a ton of winning teams surrounded by a ton of talented players. However, he was drafted by and played his entire career with, one team. I'll never understand the boos he gets at Target Field.

[nokomismod]

I agree that he has accomplished a lot and might go down as the best SS of our lifetime. He has stayed healthy (never bulked up), and he has always been ultra competitive and smart. I think when he retires the Yankees will lose some of the intimidation they have had over franchises like the Twins for the past 15 year.

[James]

I never understood the boos either. He is still a great player and probably will be for quite some time.

As long as he is healthy and is physically capable of playing SS, he'll play as long as the Yankees offer him a contract. There's no way that he ever plays for a different team.

[one_eyed_jack]

Yeah you can hate the Yankees, but it's hard to hate Jeter. He's a truly amazing player, and a class act.

Interesting question on how long he'll play. Is he one of those guys who will play until someone tells him he can't? Or is he someone who will want to go out at the top of his game, on his terms, and not cling to a job while everyone watches his skills decline?

It could be get interesting if it gets to a point where he wants to keep playing, but the Yankees aren't willing to pay him.

The thought of Derek Jeter in another uniform is just bizarre.

[Lesser Dali]

Being that I am around the same age as Jeter, I have been fortunate to have been cognizant as an adult his entire career. To me, he is the face of Major League Baseball and probably will be until he calls it a career. He is a passionate leader, fiery competitor, and as clutch of baseball player you will find when everything is on the line.

The 2010-2011 seasons were not his finest, but I would not think anyone would have thought he would retire before attaining 3,000 hits. It is nice to see Jeter having a bounce back year and I hope he has a few more left in the tank.

To answer the title of this thread "When will Jeter Retire", ~ I think Jeter would be open to playing a different position, but once his bat goes the way of the Dodo, he'll hang it up ASAP, much like DiMaggio did.

When that will be? Who knows?

[Top Gun]

The Captain never miss a game. The HOFer is still on top of his game. He will never retire.

[twinsnorth49]

Derek Jeter is incredible. I mean, we're talking inner-circle Hall of Famer. He'll probably wind up with close to 4,000 hits. I have never understood why anyone doesn't completely respect and admire what he is and what he has been. He has stayed out of trouble. Yes, he's been on a ton of winning teams surrounded by a ton of talented players. However, he was drafted by and played his entire career with, one team. I'll never understand the boos he gets at Target Field.

This pretty much nails it, he's the baseball equivalent to Wayne Gretzky, hate him with a passion but admire the hell out of him.

[Brock Beauchamp]

People thought Jeter was done seven years ago. Then he went out, worked on his defense, and posted one of his best seasons (and probably deserved the MVP) in 2006. He's been a bit up-and-down since then but now he's posting another great season as he approaches 40 as a middle infielder.

The guy isn't human.

I hate the Yankees as much as the next person but you can't hate Jeter... you just can't. He's the consummate professional, always exudes class, and "plays the right way". Is his mystique overblown? Absolutely, but the guy is one of the greatest players I've ever seen.

[Siehbiscuit]

Yes, you can hate him! I hate him out of pure jealousy. The Twins have had a revolving door at SS for the last 20 years and the Yankees have had Jeter.