New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter will retire following the upcoming 2014 Major League Baseball season, the already legendary shortstop announced on Facebook Wednesday.
“The 2014 season will be my last year playing professional baseball,” Jeter wrote in a lengthy post on the social media site.
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The 39-year-old shortstop credited a raft of injuries as part of the reason for hanging up his cleats.
“Last year was a tough one for me,” he wrote. “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 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.”
Jeter said he came to the decision several months ago, but family and friends urged him to hold off making his announcement until he was “absolutely 100% sure.”
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“And the thing is, I could not be more sure. I know it in my heart,” Jeter wrote, thanking his fans and colleagues for the 19 seasons he has played for the Yankees — his entire Major League career.
“… I want to soak in every moment of every day this year, so I can remember it for the rest of my life. And most importantly, I want to help the Yankees reach our goal of winning another championship.
Read Jeter’s entire Facebook post here:
