Derek Jeter Quotes & Sayings

Sometimes people complicate things by thinking too much about what someone might think of what they said or did. — Derek Jeter

You tell me you want to race down the street, I'm going to try to beat you. My grandmother asks me to race down the street, I'm going to try to beat her. And I'll probably enjoy it. Competitive to a fault, sometimes. — Derek Jeter

I want to have a family. — Derek Jeter

I attribute much of my success in New York to my ability to understand and avoid unnecessary distractions. — Derek Jeter

The guy's (Shane Spencer) ridiculous. No one hits home runs like that. I'm telling you, man, it's ridiculous. — Derek Jeter

I don't listen to opinions. — Derek Jeter

When you put a lot of hard work into one goal and you achieve it, that's a really good feeling. — Derek Jeter

Sneak out when things go good. It bothers me when people have good games and stand in front of their locker waiting for the media, then they have bad games and sneak out the back. — Derek Jeter

It doesn't feel different being here (at the All-Star Game) I feel like I'm on an All-Star team everyday. — Derek Jeter

I get nervous watching teammates. I get nervous for them. Late in the game, pressure situation, I'm nervous for them. — Derek Jeter

You hear about women buying shoes? I buy DVDs. I definitely have a problem. — Derek Jeter

Through time you learn from your experiences. I think I've learned to deal with people a little bit better over time. That in particular has developed a little bit. — Derek Jeter

Walking around sometimes, I would love to just be able to watch people, see how they act. Sometimes I would love to be invisible. — Derek Jeter

My dreams do not end with playing Major League Baseball. — Derek Jeter

I try to sign for as many kids as possible. Kids come first, and I'll always sign for a kid before an adult. It's funny, because I was never big into autographs as a kid. The only player who I ever wanted an autograph from was Dave Winfield. — Derek Jeter

In order to lead people, you have to get to know them. — Derek Jeter

The number one priority is playing baseball. There are so many people in New York trying to get you to do this and get you to do that, which is fine, but you have to take care of yourself. — Derek Jeter

Athletics keeps us healthy, gets us up and running around. It also gives you an opportunity to meet a lot of different people, which is very important. — Derek Jeter

I went to school on Senior Skip Day. — Derek Jeter

I always hear people say I give the same answers or I don't give you much. No, I just don't give you much negativity. When people are negative a lot, it starts to creep into your mind, and then you start having doubts, and I don't like that. If there's another way, show me. My job is to stay positive. My job is to limit distractions. And if you get annoyed by that, I don't expect you to understand because you're not in my shoes. — Derek Jeter

I go into every game thinking I'm going to be the hero. I have to, or I wouldn't enjoy it. — Derek Jeter

The big difference for me is that, as I get older, I find it's a lot easier to stay in shape than it is to get back in shape. — Derek Jeter

If you're going to win games, you're going to have to come up with the big hits. That's the bottom line. — Derek Jeter

I've always had an interest in business, and my interest in business has really expanded over the years. — Derek Jeter

It took him 75 steps to get from third to home. I thought we were going to have to go out there and help him. A lot of players start thinking double then maybe wind up with a triple because the outfielder slips. — Derek Jeter

The first thing to know about playing baseball in Michigan is, Michigan's really cold. — Derek Jeter

Our fans don't want to see us win the Wild Card. They want to see us win the division. — Derek Jeter

What kind of influence did my parents have on my life? Well, they had the most influence. These are the people who are closest to me. My parents are very positive people. They've been supportive. They're always there. — Derek Jeter

I always have tried to treat people with respect, the way I want to be treated. — Derek Jeter

I remember going from rookie ball to A, to double A, then to triple A. At every level it seemed like the game was faster. The bigger the situation, the more the game speeds up. That's all mental. It messes people up. — Derek Jeter

When I was younger, I was always taught not to make excuses. — Derek Jeter

Not everybody's a baseball fan. — Derek Jeter

Good teams make the playoffs, hot teams win the playoffs. — Derek Jeter

I like to dance and sing when there's no one around, but, if I'm out, I'm really shy about it. So it takes a lot to get me going, but I enjoy being around music. — Derek Jeter

In my opinion, I've had the greatest job in the world. I got a chance to be the shortstop for the New York Yankees, and there's only one of those. And I always felt as though it was my job, was to try to provide joy and entertainment for you guys, but it can't compare to what you brought me. So for that, thank you very much. — Derek Jeter

I always appreciated the ex-players. Being a Yankee, you get spoiled. Old-Timers Day, all these guys coming back, spring training, being around them, you get a chance to get to know them. So I always think you learn a lot by listening. — Derek Jeter

You have to assume that everything you do is public knowledge. Everything. Because now everyone is a reporter. Everyone is a photographer. — Derek Jeter

I've been playing baseball since I was 5 or 6 years old. I've been on a schedule, pretty much, since I was in eighth, ninth grade. I look forward to not doing that. — Derek Jeter

I have feelings. I'm not emotionally stunted. — Derek Jeter

You can't quantify everything a player does to win games. — Derek Jeter

So is work ethic. You do things over and over again, and when you get in a situation you like to think it comes natural. I think there has to be a mind-set that you're not afraid to fail. I'm not afraid to fail. I've done it quite a bit. The calmer you are, the more the game slows down for you, and I think part of that is controlling your emotions. — Derek Jeter

You gotta have fun. Regardless of how you look at it, we're playing a game. It's a business, it's our job, but I don't think you can do well unless you're having fun. — Derek Jeter

MVP, you could have picked a name out of a hat ... we have a group of MVPs. You don't rely on one guy. You have to get contributions from everyone. — Derek Jeter

I think when things linger, that's when they become a distraction. I don't want any distractions. — Derek Jeter

I wish I trusted people more. But when I meet someone, the first thing is, 'What does this person want?' And I put up a defense mechanism. But I've always been that way. — Derek Jeter

It doesn't seem like the season really gets under way until you have your home opener — Derek Jeter

Any player that says they don't want to go to an All-Star Game is lying to you. It's something everyone wants to be a part of. — Derek Jeter

I always take criticism as a challenge. It's the way I've always looked at it. — Derek Jeter

I'd like to get a degree. You ever see the movie 'Back to School?' I'll go back with my kids. — Derek Jeter

I've found that it's easier to stay in shape than it is to get into shape. — Derek Jeter

I can see how people work out to feel better. — Derek Jeter

If I'm shifted two steps toward third base and the ball goes up the middle, people say I have no range to my left. That's why those statistics aren't accurate. You're changing for every batter, sometimes with every pitch. You really can't make one statistic for every shortstop. You have to go by what you see. — Derek Jeter

I think, a lot of times, players get in trouble when they're asked questions and they think they have to find a way to answer it. If you ask me a question and I say, 'I don't know,' there's really no follow-up. — Derek Jeter

There's feelings there, but I think I've just been pretty good at trying to hide my emotions throughout the years. I try to have the same demeanor each and every day. — Derek Jeter

For me, when I was a kid, volunteering was the last thing I was thinking about. When I see kids doing it now, it amazes me. It's very impressive, it gives them something productive to do as opposed to getting in trouble. For them to take time out at such a young age is remarkable. I think all kids should take a little time out to volunteer. — Derek Jeter

The thing that means the most to me is being remembered as a Yankee, because that's what I've always wanted to be, was to be a Yankee. — Derek Jeter

As long as I'm having fun I'm going to play. — Derek Jeter

The only legacy I want is to be thought of as a winner. — Derek Jeter

My best vacation is somewhere I could hide, somewhere warm and not a lot of people around. — Derek Jeter

When it was time for parent-teacher conferences, I remember that I was always embarrassed about what my parents would hear about me! — Derek Jeter

That's how you win - pitching and defense. — Derek Jeter

During the off-season, I go to the movies almost every day. — Derek Jeter

I never think about my own stats, as long as I'm contributing to the team. — Derek Jeter

You know what I want to do? Wake up one weekend and not have to go anywhere and do nothing. — Derek Jeter

Work hard, love what you do, put your best foot forward and never forget the kid in you. — Derek Jeter

You have to be confident, if you're not confident you might as well go home. — Derek Jeter

It's never over. You don't want to be in the position to be down four runs in the ninth inning, but it's not over until the last out. — Derek Jeter

I've always been uncomfortable, so to speak, when the focus is on me. — Derek Jeter

If you're going to play at all, you're out to win. Baseball, board games, playing Jeopardy, I hate to lose. — Derek Jeter

The one thing I always said to myself was that when baseball started to feel more like a job, it would be time to move forward. — Derek Jeter

It doesn't take any talent to play hard. — Derek Jeter

Kids are our future. — Derek Jeter

I have the greatest job in the world. Only one person can have it. You have shortstops on other teams - I'm not knocking other teams - but there's only one shortstop on the Yankees. — Derek Jeter

I think it comes easy to work hard. I was always taught, don't short-change yourself. Keep working to get better. — Derek Jeter

Everyone fears rejection. — Derek Jeter

I can have fun anywhere, as long as I'm with good people. But in the offseason, I like to go somewhere warm, a nice spot in the Caribbean. — Derek Jeter

Obviously, you're known for what you do. But you still want to be known as a good person. You're a person a lot longer before and after you're a professional athlete. — Derek Jeter

No former player has owned a team in baseball. — Derek Jeter

The draft is a crapshoot, so I've been very fortunate to be drafted by the Yankees, and to have spent my whole career here. — Derek Jeter

I will never brag about myself, but my family, I can go on forever. — Derek Jeter

So many people are insanely busy nowadays, and it's easy to say, 'Ah, I'll workout tomorrow.' But you have to set aside a time and stick to that schedule. — Derek Jeter

My office is at Yankee stadium. Yes, dreams do come true. — Derek Jeter

Winning is one of the most special moments. Every time I take the field it's a special moment. The fans are the ones that make it special. Because that's what we do it for. — Derek Jeter

I've never been an actor on Broadway, but it feels like you're on a stage when you play at Yankee Stadium. And that's the feeling I've always had. — Derek Jeter

Handle yourself like a professional on the field and you have one goal-and that's to win. — Derek Jeter

I think sometimes people need to get used to an idea. — Derek Jeter

I've been asked to sign a forehead. — Derek Jeter

I'm not perfect; no one is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes. I think you try to learn from those mistakes. — Derek Jeter

One of the best things about being a Yankee is that you have guys like Whitey Ford, Phil Rizzuto, Ron Guidry and Reggie Jackson wandering around the locker room offering you advice. — Derek Jeter

I try to stay as private as possible; I know that's difficult, especially playing here in New York, but I make an attempt at it. — Derek Jeter

My heroes, my dreams, and my future lay in Yankee Stadium. And they can't take that away from me. — Derek Jeter

I like to hit the gym early in the morning. I feel better throughout the day when I get in a workout first thing in the morning. — Derek Jeter

You forget about it whether it was 15-2 or 3-2. It's still a loss. It doesn't matter what the score was if we win tomorrow. — Derek Jeter

We just want to win. That's the bottom line. I think a lot of times people may become content with one championship or a little bit of success, but we don't really reflect on what we've done in the past. We focus on the present. — Derek Jeter

You gotta have fun. — Derek Jeter

I get asked enough questions, I try not to ask too many questions. — Derek Jeter

The Yankees have strict rules. You can have a mustache but no other facial hair. — Derek Jeter

I just think that your private life is private. What I do is obviously public, I get that. I get the fact that people are interested. I'm interested in a lot of people as well. I've just chosen to stay as private as possible. — Derek Jeter

You can't be sensitive, because you're going to get criticized. I don't care who you are, you're going to get criticized. — Derek Jeter

Nine games? It's too long. — Derek Jeter