Derek Jeter to Retire After 2014 Season - East Idaho News
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Derek Jeter to Retire After 2014 Season

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Getty S 032013 Jeter?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1392240580254Elsa/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter will retire after the 2014 season, the five-time World Series champion announced on his Facebook page on Wednesday.

Jeter, a 13-time All-Star, has been the Yankees starting shortstop since 1996. He was named Captain by George Steinbrenner during the 2003 season, and saw his friends Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte retire last season.

Jeter’s agent, Casey Close, confirmed the news in an email to ABC News.

“For the last 20 years I’ve been completely focused on two goals: playing my best and helping the Yankees win,” Jeter wrote on Facebook. “That means that for 365 days a year my every thought and action were geared toward that goal. It’s now time for something new.”

Jeter was hampered all of 2013 with an ankle injury after breaking it during the ALCS back in 2012. He hit just .190 with one home run and 7 RBIs in 2013.

“Last year was a tough one for me,” Jeter continued. “As I suffered through a bunch of injuries, I realized that some of the things that always came easily to me and were always fun had started to become a struggle. 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. As I came to this conclusion and shared it with my friends and family, they all told me to hold off saying anything until I was absolutely 100% sure,” he added.  “And the thing is, I could not be more sure. I know it in my heart. The 2014 season will be my last year playing professional baseball.”

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