This week’s special guest inside Michigan Stadium understands what a championship season looks like.
It’s no secret that Derek Jeter, who grew up in Kalamazoo, is a big fan of Michigan football. The MLB Hall of Famer was once a U-M basebal recruit and will return to the Big House as an honorary captain for the Week 2 matchup with Texas.
Jeter has frequently visited Ann Arbor to watch the Wolverines play. He was most recently on hand for the final home game of the 2023 national title season, a 30-24 victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes. The New York Yankees legend was also at the National Championship in January.
Derek Jeter nearly starred for the Wolverines
Derek Jeter lived out his childhood dream, spending 20 seasons playing shortstop for baseball’s most famous franchise: The Yankees. Prior to being selected sixth overall by his favorite team in the 1992 MLB Draft, he signed a National Letter of Intent to star for the Wolverines.
Despite signing a contract to turn professional, Jeter did take classes at the University of Michigan in the fall of 1992 after his first season in the minors. He was registered to return the following fall before the Yankees had him play in the Instructional League.
While Jeter wanted to play for the Wolverines, it is safe to say that he made the right decision. He retired with 3,465 hits – the sixth most in MLB history – and five World Series rings.
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