The 2021 MLB Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony took place this past Wednesday, September 8, at the Clark Sports Center in Otsego County, New York. Transmitted live on the MLB Network, multiple athletes were inducted as a part of this year’s Hall of Fame Class such as Ted Simmons, Larry Walker, Marvin Miller, and Derek Jeter. The retired Yankee star was officially declared as a Hall of Famer on Wednesday night after officially accepting his position as one of the greatest shortstops to play the sport. Jeter spent his 20-year baseball career loyal to a single team, the New York Yankees, in which they retired his signature number 2 jersey as a sign of mutual loyalty and respect.
Many players who are currently wearing the well respected number 2 jersey publicly announced their gratitude towards the popular shortstop. After he was inducted, players such as Andrelton Simmons, Alex Bregman, Xander Bogaerts, Dansby Swanson, and Fernando Tatis Jr. spoke on reasons why the baseball icon has inspired them to wear his number and play his preferred position. “Derek Jeter is one of the prime examples of how you want any kid growing up to be, just to take the good habits that he had. He has been a huge role model,” said Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts. San Diego Padres star shortstop mentioned, “I want to be the Dominican Derek Jeter,” clearly looking up to the veteran as one of his major role models.
Jeter accumulated an impressive total of 396 out of the 397 votes for his Hall of Fame induction; just one vote from tying his former teammate Mariona Rivera as the “only first-ballot unanimous pick” in the Baseball Hall of Fame. While his athletic baseball career is unfortunately behind him he still looks to keep himself in tune with the culture as a part owner of the MLB’s Miami Marlins. Derek Jeter is continuing to make history as he assumed his new position as the CEO of the Marlins back in 2017, making him the first African-American to be given that prestigious title.