“They Were Relying on Him”- Former Yankees Manager Once Recalled Derek Jeter’s Influence on Team Veterans During His Rookie Year

During the late 90s and early 2000s, the New York Yankees dominated Major League Baseball like no one else. Under the leadership of visionary manager Joe Torre and legendary captain Derek Jeter, the Yankees were almost an unbeatable team.

Derek Jeter and Joe Torre were the architects of the New York Yankees between 1996 and 2007. Although baseball is a team game, it requires a good leader in the ballpark. And when it comes down to leadership, there was no one better than Derek Jeter to lead the side.

Ever since Jeter bid farewell to the game, the Yankees are yet to find his replacement. It has been almost eight years since Jeter’s retirement, and the Yankees have been playing with no captain. He is also one of the very few players who have the privilege of calling themselves a one-team man. Notably, Jeter has not played for any other team but only the New York Yankees.

Joe Torre heaped praise on Derek Jeter

The duo of Derek Jeter and Joe Torre achieved immense success for the New York Yankees. Together they won six Pennants and four World Series titles for the Pinstripes. Leave the Yankees fans. Even rival team’s fans adored Jeter for his humbleness and down-to-earth nature.

In an old video of The Players’ Tribune, the former Yankees manager opened up about the impact of Jeter on other players of the squad in his rookie year.

“In his rookie year, he came on as a 21-year-old rookie, and by August, I guess you can say, a lot of veterans on our club were looking for Derek to do something. Because they had gained so much trust,” Joe Torre said. “He had earned so much trust by that time in the first year, that they were relying on him, which is so unusual in our game.”

Read more: ‘It’s Very Humbling’- NY Yankees Legend Derek Jeter Opened Up About How It Feels to Be Talked About in Same Sentence as Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, and Yogi Berra

Debuted in the 1995 season, Jeter played his last game in the 2014 season. After retirement, he also served as CEO of the MLB franchise, Miami Marlins, for five years between 2017 and 2022. Considering his legendary career, the Yankees legend also received his Hall of Fame induction in 2020.

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

A little late, but recently Jeter also made his social media debut to connect with his fans. From fans to celebrities, everyone welcomed him into the virtual world.