Derek Jeter Is Beginning To Regain Form

Jun 20, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter (2) makes an error against the Baltimore Orioles during the third inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

For much of the 2014 season, Derek Jeter‘s performance had many of us saying Jeter may have made the right choice when deciding to retire at year’s end. He looked like a shadow of his former self. He was having difficulty catching up to fastballs, and really just looked out of sync. But it now looks like Jeter just needed a little more time to get back in the swing of things. His last ten games, Jeter is hitting .366, with 4 RBI, and his bat has looked a whole lot quicker. Jeter played only 17 games last year after breaking his ankle in late 2012, and re-injuring himself last season.

"“You’d like everything to click right away,” the Yankees’ captain said before Thursday’s game against the Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium. “That wasn’t the case… I’ve expected myself to do everything I’ve always done…That’s what my expectation is at all times…Sometimes it takes a little bit longer. I’ve never missed a year before… Sometimes things take a little time.”"

(h/t, Brendan Kuty, NJ.com/Star Ledger)

Jeter’s health has not been an issue this year. He’s played 61 of 70 games, with the games missed being off days Girardi gave him to rest and stay fresh. Jeter is now hitting .272 and we should see that batting average climb as the season wears on.

Clearly, Derek Jeter is still a very capable player and credit Joe Girardi for keeping him fresh and ready to play. Jeter in the lineup will always be good for the Yankees.