Derek Jeter's career highlights

The Yankees had their eyes on a lanky high school shortstop from Kalamazoo, Mich., in the 1992 Draft but wondered if he was headed to college; scout Dick Groch famously said, “The only place Jeter’s going is to Cooperstown.”

May 30, 1995: 1st of 3,465

This browser does not support the video element. A day after making his Major League debut, Jeter collected his first hit off Mariners veteran Tim Belcher (and arrived at first base next to Tino Martinez, who’d be his teammate the following spring) May 30, 1995

April 2, 1996: Opening play

This browser does not support the video element. Though George Steinbrenner was not so sure his starting shortstop belonged in the Majors, Jeter began to win over The Boss with an Opening Day performance that featured a nifty over-the-shoulder grab ... April 2, 1996

There's more!

This browser does not support the video element. ... and his first big league home run, a blast off Cleveland’s Dennis Martinez April 2, 1996

A 12-year-old Jeffrey Maier prevented Orioles outfielder Tony Tarasco from snagging Jeter’s home run in Game 1 of the ALCS on Oct. 9, 1996. The Yankees won the game, the ALCS and then the World Series.

July 11, 2000: ASG MVP

This browser does not support the video element. Of Jeter’s 14 All-Star Games, his finest performance came when he was named the AL’s starting shortstop for the first time in the 2000 Midsummer Classic at Turner Field. Jeter finished the game 3-for-3 with a double and two RBIs, leading the AL to a 6-3 victory. July 11, 2000

Oct. 25, 2000: Subway star

This browser does not support the video element. Moved into the leadoff spot for Game 4 of the World Series, Jeter blasted the first pitch over the left-field wall October 25, 2000

The Yanks won that game, 3-2, on the way to their third consecutive championship and Jeter was crowned World Series MVP

Oct. 13, 2001: The Flip

This browser does not support the video element. Jeter always seemed to be in the right place at the right time -- but never more than in Game 3 of the AL Division Series against the A’s, shoveling an errant Shane Spencer throw to catcher Jorge Posada to preserve a 1-0 lead October 13, 2001

Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 2001: Mr. November

This browser does not support the video element. Tied on Tino Martinez’s two-run ninth-inning homer, World Series Game 4 ticked past midnight into the new month just before Jeter ended the contest with an opposite-field homer and a well-prepared fan hoisted a sign with a new nickname for the shortstop October 31, 2001

July 1, 2004: The Dive

This browser does not support the video element. The rivalry between the Red Sox and Yankees was arguably never more intense than during this period, when Jeter chased a Trot Nixon flare into the field-level seats at Yankee Stadium and emerged with his face bloodied July 1, 2004

Sept. 11, 2009: Passing the Iron Horse

This browser does not support the video element. Lou Gehrig stood as the Yankees’ all-time hit leader for over 70 years until Jeter singled off Chris Tillman for career hit 2,722 on a drizzly evening in The Bronx September 11, 2009

July 9, 2011: Mr. 3,000

This browser does not support the video element. Jeter pounded a David Price breaking ball into the left-field bleachers, becoming the 28th player in history -- and the first Yankee -- to reach 3,000 hits July 9, 2011 3,000 club

Jeter finished the day 5-for-5, including the eventual game-winning hit in the eighth inning

Sept. 25, 2014: Bronx farewell

This browser does not support the video element. Playing his final game in pinstripes, Jeter laced a game-winning hit vs. the O's, slashing his trademark inside-out single to right field as Antoan Richardson raced home September 25, 2014

“Now I’m a Yankee forever”