Derek Jeter was the pride of the Yankees over a remarkable 20-year career, one that puts him the company of names like Ruth and Gehrig and DiMaggio. And one that’ll earn Jeter his sport’s highest honor today when the Baseball Hall of Fame announces its 2020 class of inductees.
But when he’s officially enshrined in Cooperstown this summer, Jeter also will carry with him the pride of those here in Michigan who watched the legend grow from the very beginning. Chief among them, Dick Groch, the longtime area scout who staked his reputation on a skinny teenager from Kalamazoo, convincing the Yankees and owner George Steinbrenner to draft a high school shortstop with the sixth overall pick in the 1992 draft.