Jeter’s a sure Hall of Famer, but he refuses to talk about it
MIAMI — Despite being a surefire firstballot selection to the Baseball Hall of Fame, Derek Jeter says he’s still being careful not to jinx anything.
The former New York Yankees shortstop is one of 32 players on the 2020 Hall of Fame ballot. With an impeccable resume that includes five World Series titles, 14 All-Star game appearances and 3,465 career hits — sixth-most in major-league history —
Jeter could become just the second player to unanimously be elected to the Hall of Fame. His longtime Yankees teammate Mariano Rivera last year became the first player to accomplish the feat.
Entering his third year as the Miami Marlins CEO, Jeter will have to wait until Jan. 21 before the results are officially announced. Despite all the accolades during his illustrious 20-year career, he said he’s not getting ahead of himself.
“I try not to think about it; I try not to talk about it,” Jeter said Monday during the team’s Thanksgiving food drive. “I don’t want to jinx any opportunities I may have. I’ve played my last games and there’s really not much else I can do.
“I was fortunate to play a very long career and I played on successful teams. My
career’s over with now and I’m focused with what I’m doing in Miami. But every player that plays the game, [being selected to the Hall of Fame] is the ultimate honor.”
The 2020 induction ceremony will be held Sunday, July 26, at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.
In addition to Jeter, there’s also a chance that fellow Yankees great — and current Marlins manager Don Mattingly — could be enshrined as well. Despite falling off the ballot in 2015, the former Yankees first baseman is one of 10 finalists on the Modern Baseball Era ballot. Decided by a 16-member panel, the inductees from the Modern Era ballot will be announced Dec. 8 at the winter meetings.