metalsatan
06-03-2003, 10:52 AM
CINCINNATI -- Shortstop Derek Jeter, who was singled out for criticism in the offseason by New York owner George Steinbrenner, was named captain on the New York Yankees on Tuesday, according to a baseball source.
The Yankees planned to announce the honor at a news conference before the start of a series against the Cincinnati Reds, according to the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Jeter will be the 11th captain in Yankees history, an honor also bestowed upon Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Thurman Munson, Willie Randolph, Ron Guidry and Graig Nettles. The last Yankees captain was Don Mattingly, who retired in 1995.
The honor is one of the biggest yet for Jeter, who starting racking up awards as soon as he became the Yankees shortstop in 1996. He was the AL Rookie of the Year, MVP of the All-Star Game and World Series and is a five-time All-Star.
He won four World Series championships and five American League pennants in his first six seasons, but wound up defending himself as spring training opened in February.
In the offseason, Steinbrenner questioned Jeter's work ethic and focus. Steinbrenner was unhappy after reading a newspaper report that the shortstop was out late at a birthday party.
When he showed up for the start of spring training, Jeter defended his lifestyle and said he was stung by suggestions he parties too much.
Steinbrenner also said the 28-year-old still wasn't ready to become the team's captain. Jeter, who is in the third year of a 10-year, $189 million contract, didn't sound concerned.
"If you ask every person that ever played baseball, they would love to be a team captain," Jeter said at the time, "but that's something that's entirely up to him."
Later, Steinbrenner and Jeter made fun of their feud in a credit-card commercial.
Manager Joe Torre said at the time that he didn't think it was necessary to have a team captain, but would change his mind if Steinbrenner decided to appoint one.
Jeter was sidelined for six weeks after dislocating his left shoulder while sliding headfirst into third base during the season opener at Toronto.
Hooray for Mediocrity!
<marquee behavor=alternate>IM: Mayhem648</marquee>
The Yankees planned to announce the honor at a news conference before the start of a series against the Cincinnati Reds, according to the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Jeter will be the 11th captain in Yankees history, an honor also bestowed upon Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Thurman Munson, Willie Randolph, Ron Guidry and Graig Nettles. The last Yankees captain was Don Mattingly, who retired in 1995.
The honor is one of the biggest yet for Jeter, who starting racking up awards as soon as he became the Yankees shortstop in 1996. He was the AL Rookie of the Year, MVP of the All-Star Game and World Series and is a five-time All-Star.
He won four World Series championships and five American League pennants in his first six seasons, but wound up defending himself as spring training opened in February.
In the offseason, Steinbrenner questioned Jeter's work ethic and focus. Steinbrenner was unhappy after reading a newspaper report that the shortstop was out late at a birthday party.
When he showed up for the start of spring training, Jeter defended his lifestyle and said he was stung by suggestions he parties too much.
Steinbrenner also said the 28-year-old still wasn't ready to become the team's captain. Jeter, who is in the third year of a 10-year, $189 million contract, didn't sound concerned.
"If you ask every person that ever played baseball, they would love to be a team captain," Jeter said at the time, "but that's something that's entirely up to him."
Later, Steinbrenner and Jeter made fun of their feud in a credit-card commercial.
Manager Joe Torre said at the time that he didn't think it was necessary to have a team captain, but would change his mind if Steinbrenner decided to appoint one.
Jeter was sidelined for six weeks after dislocating his left shoulder while sliding headfirst into third base during the season opener at Toronto.
Hooray for Mediocrity!
<marquee behavor=alternate>IM: Mayhem648</marquee>