November 5th, 1996: Derek Jeter is the Unanimous Choice as AL Rookie of Year.

Posted by Matt Sebek, November 5, 2009

November 5th, 1996

derek-jeter-card

Today is a day that national media member will never forget. For it is on this day that the collective group of Derek Jeter lovers could tangibly express their affliction for the Yankees new shortstop. The actual love affair spawned

Jeter went .314 AVG/.370 OBP in 1996, which was deemed exponentially better than his successor, Tony Fernandez, who went .245 AVG/.322 OBP the previous season. But most importantly, Derek looked decidedly more dashing doing so. Wayyy more dashing.

Impress your co-workers: The following men finished behind Derek Jeter in the 1996 American League Rookie of the Year voting: Tony Clark (DET), Darin Erstad (CAL), Tony Batista (TOR) and Jeff D'Amico (MIL)

Joel, November 9, 2009 11:11 AM

Tony Fernandez was his PREDECESSOR. Successor means the person who comes after Jeter. And since Jeter is immortal, he has no successor. Actually, I've heard rumors that they're considering retiring the SS position once he retires.