Jeter named World Series MVP while capturing fourth ring
The three-peat was complete. The New York Yankees defeated the New York Mets in the 2000 “Subway Series” World Series to go along with their 1998 and 1999 titles. In his fifth full major league season, Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter had just won his fourth World Series ring. And on Oct. 26, 2000, his play in the Fall Classic earned him Most Valuable Player honors.
Prior to the 2000 season, Jeter signed a one-year $10 million contract, doubling the $5 million he won in arbitration the year before. As the season began, Jeter continued the performance that had already earned him the 1996 American League Rookie of the Year, MVP votes, and two All-Star appearances. Through the first half of 2000, Jeter was batting .322 with 17 doubles, 60 runs and 37 RBI.
He was named to his third All-Star team and received his first start at the Mid-Summer Classic. Jeter went 3-for-3 with a run scored and two RBI and was named All-Star Game MVP — becoming the first Yankee to ever receive the honor.
“You have to play a lot of years before you can be considered a Yankee great, and I’ve only played four years,” Jeter told the New York Times at the All-Star Game. “This is my fifth year. Hopefully, I can play a few more years and start that debate.”
The second half was no different. Jeter finished the season batting .339 with 31 doubles, 119 runs and 73 RBI as the Yankees overcame a slow start and losses in 15 of their final 18 games of the season the AL East with an 87-74 record.
In five games, the Yankees defeated the Oakland Athletics in the American League Division Series. Then in the ALCS, the Yankees eliminated the Seattle Mariners in six games.
On Oct. 21, the 2000 World Series began. The Yankees took on the Mets in the first World Series since 1956 to feature two New York teams.
The Yankees won Game 1, 4-3. Jeter was 1-for-4 with two walks and a run scored. In Game 2, he went 3-for-5 at the plate with two doubles and another run scored as the Yankees won 6-5. The Mets took Game 3, 4-2, but Jeter stayed hot at the plate with two hits, a walk, and a run scored.
Yankees manager Joe Torre put Jeter in the leadoff spot for Game 4. He led off the game with a solo home run and then tripled in the third inning and scored on a Luis Sojo ground out. The Yankees won 3-2.
As Game 5 dawned on Oct. 26, the Yankees had a chance to win the title. In his first two at-bats, Jeter was hitless. He came to the plate in the top of the sixth inning with the Yankees behind 2-1. With one out and no one on base, Jeter hit a home run to left field to tie the game.
Sojo’s single in the top of the ninth brought in two runs to give the Yankees a 4-2 lead and the eventual win after Mariano Rivera shut down the Mets in the bottom of the ninth.
“I’d be lying if I said this one wasn’t more gratifying,” Jeter told the New York Times after Game 5. “I mean, we struggled this year. We had tough times.”
Jeter’s nine hits and six runs scored tied five-game World Series records, and his 19 total bases set a record. In those five games, he batted .409 with two doubles, a triple, two home runs, two RBI and three walks.
At age 26, Jeter was named MVP, becoming the first player to win All-Star MVP and World Series MVP honors in the same season.
Jeter was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2020.
Arielle Gordon is the Digital Content Specialist at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
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