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DEREK JETER: A TRIBUTE to Air 4/29 on FOX Sports 1

By: Apr. 22, 2014
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Before he announced he would hang up his cleats at the end of the season, New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter had already made a lasting impression as one of the most graceful, successful and iconic figures ever to play the game. Led by current and former players from around Major League Baseball, Fox Sports and MLB Productions honor one of baseball's best ambassadors in Derek JETER: A TRIBUTE, a one-hour special premiering Tuesday, April 29 (8:30 PM ET) on Fox Sports 1.

A career New York Yankee, Jeter's numerous accolades and achievements include the 1996 Rookie of the Year Award, 13 All-Star Game selections, five World Series rings, membership in MLB's prestigious 3,000 hits club and the longest-tenured captaincy of any Yankees player. In his two decades in baseball, he has been admired by fans, media and his peers for his professionalism, poise and leadership. Derek JETER: A TRIBUTE presents intimate and previously untold stories directly from those whom Jeter played with and against combined with 20 years of archival footage from Jeter's career.

Narrated by Jeter's longtime manager Joe Torre, Derek JETER: A TRIBUTE includes new interviews from more than 30 current players sharing personal anecdotes, memories and more recorded in the days following Jeter's retirement announcement. The outpouring of respect from players like Robinson Cano, Curtis Granderson, Evan Longoria, David Price, Mike Trout, David Wright and many others offers a glimpse into why Jeter has become one of game's most recognizable faces and how he has influenced others throughout his career. The special also features former teammates such as David Cone, Don Mattingly, Paul O'Neill, Jorge Posada and others, as well as archival interviews with Commissioner Bud Selig, George Steinbrenner, Hal Steinbrenner, Joe Girardi, Billy Crystal, Bernie Williams, Dave Winfield, Don Zimmer and more.

Among the tributes, outfielder Josh Reddick recalls the congratulations he received from Jeter when he, at the time a member of the Boston Red Sox, recorded his first hit and home run: "I was so thrown back that a guy of his status looking at a guy like me and knew I got my first hit and home run. It made me respect the history of the game more."

Texas Rangers first baseman Prince Fielder remembers meeting Jeter while his father played with the Yankees: "My dad played with him in '96 when he was a rookie. Just being able to be in the clubhouse with him - my dad's locker was right next to him - not many kids get to say they got to hang out with Jeter when he was a rookie. Just got to watch him every day - he's a lot of fun. I got to see him in a WORLD Series. It's so awesome to have that experience."

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim outfielder Josh Hamilton recollects a dinner with Jeter when Hamilton was new to professional baseball: "I'll never forget when I was 18 years old and we had the same agent, and I was fortunate to go to dinner with him and his father. Knowing the caliber of player that he was, and for him to take the time and really talk with me and share with me some of his stories - how to handle himself as a young player - that was pretty special."

Through these memories players share of Jeter, viewers are reminded of how special the Yankee captain is on the field and off of it. Derek JETER: A TRIBUTE runs throughout the baseball season as a tribute to Jeter and all he has given to the game as he concludes his illustrious career.

Derek JETER: A TRIBUTE is produced by MLB Productions in conjunction with Fox Sports Originals, led by David Gavant, Executive in Charge of Production, MLB Productions, David Check, Executive Producer, MLB Productions, and Tareq Naouri, Lead Producer, MLB Productions, and Michael Bloom, Senior Vice President, Original Programming, FOX Sports.



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