9 Chapter 8 World Series Magic

Chapter 8 World Series Magic The Braves ruled. They were World Series Champions in 1995—and were heavily favored to win in 1996. The Yankees were the underdogs—the team that had to beat the odds to win. For Derek, the stakes were higher than ever. He wanted to keep enjoying playing baseball. But he was dead serious about winning. The Yankees lost the first two games. But time and again, Derek came through to start a rally. The momentum swung to the Yankees. They began to win. Then, at 10:56 p.m., on October 26, the last Braves batter popped out. The Yankees were World Series champs. Finally!

Derek threw his arms in the air. He joined his teammates for a pileup on the pitcher's mound, then a victory lap around the stadium.

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"It's just magic," he said in the clubhouse. The celebration continued three days later at the victory parade in New York City. One city official estimated that close to three million people came out to cheer, more than for any other championship parade. "The extra million was for Jeter," Yankees player (and New York Mets star) Darryl Strawberry said.

Young fans skipped school to hold up signs saying "We played hooky to see our rookie." Other signs read "Marry me, Derek" and "No. 2, be my No. 1." Derek was a fan favorite. With his good looks and easygoing personality, he was popular with men and women—young and old, black and white. "I think I can relate to everyone," he's said.

Later on in Michigan, three thousand people squeezed into Derek's old gym at Kalamazoo Central for a Jeter Day celebration. Sharlee gave a speech. She said she wasn't Derek's fan because of baseball. It was because he was such a great brother.