New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter announced Wednesday the 2014 season will be his last playing professional baseball.
The 39-year-old Jeter made the announcement through a letter posted on his Facebook page, saying in part: "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. So really, it was months ago when I realized that this season would likely be my last."
Jeter is a 19-year veteran who's worn the Yankee pinstripes during his entire MLB career. (Via Flickr / Keith Allison)
In his letter, Jeter mentions his difficult 2013 season, in which he played only 17 games due to a broken ankle suffered the previous season. (Via The Washington Post)
ESPN's Tim Kurkjian said Jeter's exit isn't surprising, considering that lingering injury, but added what he's attempting to do this season is a rare feat.
"Only five shortstops have ever played 100 games at that position at Derek Jeter's current age."
The New York Times runs down Jeter's almost two-decades-worth of accomplishments, including five World Series rings — one of which came when he was just a rookie — 13 All-Star appearances and 3,316 career hits, 10th on the all-time list.
But one accomplishment that a USA Today writer highlights is Jeter's ability to stay out of negative headlines. He writes Jeter was "impervious to scandal, even as he carried the highest profile in the game on its most scrutinized team."
Jeter's curtain call will follow that of former teammate Mariano Rivera, another Yankees faithful who dominated as one heck of a closer for 17 years. (Via Flickr / Keith Allison)
In his announcement, Jeter also thanked his family, friends, teammates, Yankees and MLB officials. MLB Commissioner Bud Selig returned the favor in statement posted on Twitter saying, "Major League Baseball has had no finer ambassador than Derek Jeter. ... [He's] the kind of person that generations have proudly emulated, and he remains an exemplary face of our sport."
Jeter's final regular season game will be played Sept. 28 at Fenway Park, home to the rival Red Sox. His last game at Yankee Stadium will be Sept. 25.
