COOPERSTOWN, New York – Derek Jeter spoke about joining a new family on Wednesday – one full of baseball greats – but his own family was instrumental in his speech, as he was included in the Hall of Fame. Fama.
“For me, the love of the game and the success I’ve had playing, it starts and ends with the family,” the former Yankees cameraman said during the ceremony at the Clark Sports Center.
The two members of Jeter’s family who did not watch any of his 2,747 career games attended Wednesday: his daughters Bella and Story, who were sitting with his wife, Hannah.
“To my girls, Hannah, Bella and Story: that day puts an exclamation point on my career as a player, which was my first dream,” Jeter said during his speech. “Through all of you and with all of you, I live another.”
Jeter, after thanking his own parents, Charles and Dorothy, for the winning mindsets he instilled in him as a child, shared a message with his daughters.
“Bella and Story: I want you to know that your dad was far from perfect,” Jeter said. “I made a lot of mistakes on and off the pitch. But through all of that, I tried to do the right thing. I found something I was passionate about and worked harder than anyone. I haven’t taken any shortcuts to get it.
“I have no regrets in my career, apart from the fact that I did not have the opportunity to share it with you. What I will share is my story. Most won’t be what I got on the field. They will be the lessons I learned from them. I hope it always makes you proud. “
Although Wednesday’s incorporation approached Jeter’s career, he has special plans for the next chapter.
“I’m looking forward to raising my girls now and being there to support the dreams they have,” Jeter said after the ceremony.
Jeter also thanked his sister Sharlee and grandparents, including his grandmother, Dorothy Connors, who attended, whom he always visited during the summers in West Milford, New Jersey.
“One of the special things about today is that you have the opportunity to share it with your family and you can share it with your friends,” Jeter said. “Because they know more about you than most people.”