Former Yankees great, and Hall of Famer Derek Jeter is stepping away from his duties as Miami Marlins Chief Executive Officer and shareholder.
The news came the same day Major League Baseball and the Players Union are trying to hash out a new Collective Bargaining Agreement that would save the start of the 2022 regular season.
“Through hard work, trust and accountability, we transformed every aspect of the franchise, reshaping the workforce and developing a long-term strategic plan for success,” Jeter said in a statement released through PR Newswire rather than the Marlins. “That said, the vision for the future of the franchise is different than the one I signed up to lead.
“My family and I would like to thank our incredible staff, Marlins fans, Marlins players, and the greater Miami community for welcoming us with open arms and making us feel at home,” Jeter said. “The organization is stronger today than it was five years ago, and I am thankful and grateful to have been a part of this team.”
Over his four-plus years in charge of the Marlins, Miami went a combined 218-327, qualifying for the playoffs only once, in 2020 during the COVID-shortened 60-game season.
Jeter’s tenure with Miami is probably best remembered for trading Giancarlo Stanton to the Yankees for second baseman Starlin Castro, minor league right-handed pitcher Jorge Guzman and minor league infielder Jose Devers. Castro lasted only two years in Miami before moving to the Washington Nationals, with whom he played only 103 games with over two seasons.
Guzman is still pitching in Miami’s minor leagues. When he did get a shot last season to pitch in the Big League’s he got lit up, and owns a 27.00 ERA in two appearances.
Devers owns a .275 batting average in four years in the minors for Miami.
As for Stanton, despite the razing he gets from Yankees fans, has been extremely successful in New York, posting a .269 batting average with 80 home runs and 221 RBI in four seasons with the Yankees. 2021 was Stanton’s best year in Pinstripes, posting 35 home runs and 97 RBI, including several clutch home runs in big spots.
It is not known what Jeter plans to do next with his baseball life. He was inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame last summer, and is one of the greatest Yankees to ever win pinstripes. Known for clutch hits and coming up big in big moments, Jeter defined a generation of success for the Yankees when he played for them from 1995-2014. Jeter owns five World Series rings with the Bronx Bombers.
