TAMPA, Fla. -- Derek Jeter started his career as a fresh-faced rookie shortstop hoisting the World Series trophy in his first full season. He would go on to collect five championship rings, more than 3,000 hits and savor the celebrated title of Yankees captain.
And now as Jeter prepares to enter what will be his 20th season in the big leagues, he has acknowledged that the ride is coming to an end. Jeter announced Wednesday that the 2014 season will be his final one, doing so via a lengthy Facebook post.
Jeter, who will turn 40 in June, said that the numerous injuries that he has recently battled -- beginning with a left ankle fracture sustained in the 2012 American League Championship Series -- have taken their toll, making the game less enjoyable and more of a struggle.
"The one thing I always said to myself was that when baseball started to feel more like a job, it would be time to move forward," Jeter said. "So really it was months ago when I realized that this season would likely be my last."
Commissioner Bud Selig issued the following statement on Wednesday acknowledging Jeter's announcement: "In the 21-plus years in which I have served as Commissioner, Major League Baseball has had no finer ambassador than Derek Jeter. Since his championship rookie season of 1996, Derek has represented all the best of the National Pastime on and off the field. He is one of the most accomplished and memorable players of his -- or any -- era.
"Derek is the kind of person that generations have emulated proudly, and he remains an exemplary face of our sport. Major League Baseball looks forward to celebrating his remarkable career throughout the 2014 season."
Jeter's announcement comes months after longtime teammates Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera took off their uniforms for the final time. The fourth member of the "Core Four," Jorge Posada, walked away after the 2011 season.
A 13-time All-Star, five-time Silver Slugger Award winner and five-time Gold Glove Award winner, Jeter has spent his entire career in Yankees pinstripes. He has been working out for several weeks at the Yanks' complex in Tampa, Fla., taking ground balls and batting practice to prepare for what he has repeatedly called "a normal spring."
Jeter left the Himes Avenue complex before Wednesday's announcement was published on the social media site, but agent Casey Close confirmed that it is legitimate.
Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner said as he was leaving Steinbrenner Field that the team would put out an official statement shortly. Pitching coach Larry Rothschild said as he left the facility that it was difficult to react to Jeter's announcement.
"I don't know what you say about a guy who's done what he's done in his career," Rothschild said. "I don't know if I'm the right guy to put words on it, because it's just been an unbelievable career for him."
Jeter said that he has been wrestling with the decision, and how best to announce it, for some time.
"As I came to this conclusion and shared it with my friends and family, they all told me to hold off saying anything until I was absolutely 100 percent sure," Jeter said. "And the thing is, I could not be more sure. I know it in my heart."
In his post, Jeter thanked the fans for their support over the years, as well as the late George M. Steinbrenner and the Steinbrenner family.
In his Kalamazoo, Mich., bedroom, Jeter once vividly dreamed of playing shortstop for the Yankees, and he said on Wednesday that he "never had to wake up" because "I have been living my dream every single day."
"I've experienced so many defining moments in my career: winning the World Series as a rookie shortstop, being named the Yankees captain, closing the old and opening the new Yankee Stadium. Through it all, I've never stopped chasing the next one. I want to finally stop the chase and take in the world.
"For the last 20 years I've been completely focused on two goals: playing my best and helping the Yankees win," he continued. "That means that for 365 days a year, my every thought and action were geared toward that goal. It's now time for something new."
Coming off a season in which he was limited to just 17 games and served four stints on the disabled list, Jeter's actions have suggested that he was uncertain how much longer he would play.
Jeter negotiated a one-year deal at $12 million after the season, which in hindsight may serve as a window into his thinking. Jeter announced that he was launching a book publishing imprint in partnership with Simon & Schuster last November, and also joined an Atlanta-based food company, Luvo Inc., in January.
"I have achieved almost every personal and professional goal I have set," Jeter said. "I have gotten the very most out of my life playing baseball, and I have absolutely no regrets. Now it is time for the next chapter. I have new dreams and aspirations, and I want new challenges.
"There are many things that I want to do in business and philanthropic work, in addition to focusing more on my personal life and starting a family of my own. And I want the ability to move at my own pace, see the world and finally have a summer vacation."
By making his announcement so early, Jeter has ensured that 2014 will serve as a sendoff celebration of his career -- similar to the tour that Rivera enjoyed last season. He also has milestones to chase: Jeter enters the season with 3,316 hits, three behind Paul Molitor for eighth place on the all-time list. Carl Yastrzemski (3,419), Honus Wagner (3,420) and Cap Anson (3,435) are also within reach.
It remains to be seen how Jeter will handle all of the increased attention, though his past actions suggest that he will not be distracted from the ultimate goal.
"I want to soak in every moment of every day this year, so I can remember it for the rest of my life," Jeter said. "And most importantly, I want to help the Yankees reach our goal of winning another championship."
Bryan Hoch
