“I’m trying to think who the best Yankee shortstop I’ve ever seen is, and I keep coming back to this kid.”
—Yankees legend Phil Rizzuto

“For those who say today’s game can’t produce legendary players, I have two words: Derek Jeter.”
—Yankees owner george Steinbrenner

“He’s a special breed.”
—Former teammate Dwight Gooden

“Derek makes this team go. What happens out there begins with him.”
—Teammate Alex Rodriguez

“He's a Hall of Fame player. I love his game.”
—Rodriguez

“The guy is baseball in New York.”
—Twins manager Ron Gardenhire

“He’s unbelievable. If he‘s not the full package, I haven’t seen one.”
—Former Yankees manager Stump Merrill

“There’s just something about him. When he’s on the field, good things happen. I can’t even describe it.”
—Former teammate Aaron Boone

“If he played a year when he didn’t go to the playoffs, he’d probably go home and cry!”
—Former teammate Chili Davis

“His best asset is his head”
—Former teammate Jimmy Key

“You knew from the start there was something special about him. The way he carried himself, the way he played the game. He’s just all about winning.”
—Former Yankees manager Joe Torre

“When I met Tiger Woods, I saw Derek Jeter.”
—Torre

“You really don’t know how good he is—you don’t know all the things he does—until you see him on an everyday basis.”
—Former teammate Gary Sheffield

“He is good looking, single and plays shortstop for the Bronx Bombers— a trifecta that begs for bright lights and gossip column space."
—Sportswriter Dan O’Neill

“This guy is amazing, and he makes the players around him so much better."
—Veteran slugger Kevin Millar