Derek Jeter

Wrote about his desire to become a Yankees' shortstop in an eighth-grade essay. Authored Game Day: My Life On and Off the Field and The Life You Imagine: Life Lessons for Achieving Your Dreams. Both titles were released in 2001. In 1996, founded the Turn 2 Foundation, which strives to help youths stay away from drugs and alcohol. Was named the American League Rookie of the Year in 1996 and the MVPs of the 2000 World Series and the 2000 All Star game. Named one of People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People. In 2009, broke the record for most hits in New York Yankees franchise history. The record had previously been held by Lou Gehrig with 2721 hits. Took part in contentious negotiations with the Yankees between the 2010 and 2011 seasons before signing a three-year contact (with a fourth-year option). Jeter's statistical decline the previous year made for edgy words between the shortstop and Yankee management, concerned about further performance erosion. Set Yankees franchise stolen base record in May, 2011, when he swiped bag number 326. Collected his 3,000 career hit on July 9, 2011, with a home run; Jeter had five hits in all in that game, and the final one proved to be the one that won the game.