Retirement is a big moment in a baseball player’s life. It is the end of a long road filled with effort, determination, and hard work. This was the same case with Derek Jeter when he hung up his boots. Fans, experts, and fellow players all congratulated the New York Yankees legend on an iconic career. During his final year, Jeter appeared ready to retire. This was far from the case. The legendary shortstop once revealed that he suppressed his emotions during his final year. 

Throughout his last year, Jeter was greeted with lots of celebration and fanfare as the countdown to his last game got closer. This didn’t seem to phase him as he maintained his calm demeanor. But the legendary shortstop’s revelation about his hidden emotions revealed a different story.

Derek Jeter hid his emotions during his final baseball season

Derek Jeter dedicated more than 20 years of his life to playing professional baseball. Furthermore, the impact that he had on a generation of people cannot be understated. Despite all of this, the Yankees’ legendary shortstop seemed unaffected by his retirement. But shortly after hanging up his boots, Jeter revealed that this was not the case. While speaking to the New York Times, he revealed that he’d hide his emotions, and tried to convince himself that they were not there. 

According to the New York Times, Jeter said, “I have ’em. I try to hide ’em.” He further said, “I try to trick myself and convince myself that I’m not feeling those particular emotions, whether it’s nerves, whether I’m injured, pain. I just try to trick myself that I don’t have it.” This was a stunning look at the conflicting emotions that the legendary shortstop had, despite being prepared to hang up his boots. 

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According to Hannah Jeter, his wife, when Derek first brought up retirement, he seemed ready. This was a decision that he made and followed through with. Although there were multiple reasons that the Yankees legend decided to retire, one stood out among them all.

Jeter retired because playing baseball started to feel like a job

Derek Jeter loved baseball with all of his heart. It had formed a major part of his life for more than 20 years. Retiring from the game was not a light decision, but one that had been decided with a lot of thought. The legendary shortstop had always told himself that he’d retire when it started to feel like a job. And in 2014, that time came, with injuries and the subsequent rehabilitation to prepare for the regular season taking its toll. But he does not regret the decision.

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What do you think of Derek Jeter’s admission of the emotions that he kept hidden during his final season? Kindly share your thoughts in the comments below.