Derek Jeter is a bona fide baseball great. With the Pinstripes legend earning the moniker ‘the Captain Clutch’ over his career in the Bronx, the baseball world stands to recognize his greatness. But often with greatness, the question is also one of inspiration. So who does the Captain hold in highest regard? Which MLB legend makes the Captain tick?

Jeter has been a great player in Pinstripes. And he remains a legend in New York even after his retirement. But the legend’s surprise pick, while playing for the Yankees, never snagged a pennant to his name. Despite featuring as one of the league’s greatest, Jeter’s latest revelations has left some fans pleasantly caught out with his reveal.

Derek Jeter Reveals His Greatest Inspiration

When speaking on the Black Diamonds podcast with host Bob Kendrick, Jeter revealed that his greatest inspiration has always been Dave Winfield. When asked about his biggest inspiration on the diamond, Derek Jeter said, “Dave Winfield. Big Dave Winfield fan.” And it’s easy to see why.

With Jeter in his formative years through the 1980s, Winfield’s prime years spent with the Yankees, the Captain will obviously have had some iconic moments for him to have witnessed. And he had no lack of reasons to go with that either.

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Said Jeter, “Yeah man, drafted in all three sports, one of the first athletes to have his own foundation. I thought he was larger than life, came to New York on a 10-year contract. So, you talk about you’re in the living room and you’re Hank Aaron. I was Dave Winfield.”

Derek Jeter Other Revelations on the Black Diamonds podcast

Hosted by historian Bob Kendrick, the podcast will showcase the history of the Negro Leagues, highlighting the players, people and events that shaped them, as well as spotlighting the leagues’ achievements and innovations during a time of segregation and inequality. Derek Jeter recently featured on the podcast on July 27, 2023, speaking about a litany of topics.

The Captain discussed his enshrinement in both the Hall of Fame and Monument Park, his reverence for Dave Winfield, and so much more throughout twenty years in the big leagues.

While not necessarily following the same level of success in his career after his retirement, Jeter also mentioned on the podcast why he was proud of his stint with the Miami Marlins and why baseball needs more things shaken up in the front office and established order.

But do you agree with the Captain’s choice? Let us know in the comments below.

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