Yankees: All-time greatest seasons by position

Shortstop – Derek Jeter (1999)

He was the face of baseball for a generation. He was the Yankees’ captain and a great all-around ballplayer. Derek Jeter will be a Hall of Famer very soon because of a long, consistent career. No year in his career was as good as the 1999 season.

After the Yankees won the World Series when Jeter was a 22-year-old rookie, and then again in 1998, Jeter was in his prime heading into 1999. During the season, Jeter slashed a remarkable .349/.438/.552 and hit a career-high 24 home runs with 102 runs batted in, including 19 stolen bags.

Jeter had plenty more seasons where he was impressive. He batted over .300 in 12 of his 20 years playing professional ball and remained efficient well into his 30’s.

When Jeter was 38, he still made the All-Star team, finished seventh in MVP voting and won the Silver Slugger.

He also won five Golden Glove Awards to go along with five total world championships. And to do all of this in pinstripes is truly rare and unique. It was only fitting he hit a walk-off single in his final at-bat.

For Jeter to do that after the career he had was like a Hollywood script. Someone needs to make a Derek Jeter movie ASAP.  I wonder what actor would play him.  Any ideas?

It’s crazy to think the Yankees had arguably their all-time best second baseman, third baseman and shortstop all on the field at the same time for many games.