Derek Jeter’s Early Struggles Forced Him to Term His Dream Move a Big Mistake to His Parents and Then Girlfriend

Derek Jeter has been one of the best things to happen for the New York Yankees in the last few decades. Jeter never claimed to be the best player in the ballpark. But he was an exceptional leader who knew and understood the game best from a player’s perspective.

But being Derek Jeter has never been easy for the former Yankees captain. Right from the start of his school days to this date, he received harsh criticism over his playing style. The Yankees legend revealed how people taunted him when he got drafted by the biggest MLB franchise.

Derek Jeter was devastated by the criticism after the New York Yankees drafted him

In his book ‘The Captain: The Journey of Derek Jeter,’ the MLB Hall of Famer opened up about his ugly days when he was in high school. Right after the Pinstripes drafted Jeter as their number one pick, Jeter had some poor outings in the ballparks. He even struggled to connect his bat to the ball.

And that is when his fellow rookies and coaches started questioning why would the Yankees even pick Derek Jeter as their first draft. Jeter said it was an awful experience to go through such criticism.

“It was the lowest level of baseball,” Jeter said, “and I was awful.”

Read more: ‘The Captain’ Derek Jeter Once Opened Up on His Real Relationship With NBA GOAT Michael Jordan- “Always Took Me Under His Wing”

It was a tough phase for young Jeter. He would call his parents, sister, and girlfriend and say he made a terrible mistake. Notably, Jeter opted to be with the Yankees instead of a four-year scholarship from Michigan.

He had several sleepless nights. Jeter’s father said it was a nightmare for his son. However, little did anyone know that the same Jeter would go on to become one of the greatest players in the history of the game.

Jeter, a born champion!

Derek Jeter made his big league debut in the 1995 season. And the very next year, he won the American League Rookie of the Year. Under his visionary leadership, Jeter led the pinstripes to five World Series titles.

WATCH THIS STORY: From Babe Ruth To Derek Jeter: New York Yankees Legends Who’s Jersey Number Has Been Retired

Even the opposition fans appreciated Jeter because of his selflessness in the game. Later, in 2020, six years after his retirement, MLB honored Derek Jeter with the Baseball Hall of Fame induction.

Do you think the Yankees will ever get a leader and player as good as Jeter?