Derek Jeter’s fellow Core Four members sent their congratulations to baseball’s newest Hall of Famer in statements on the Yankees Twitter account on Tuesday. Jeter entered the National Baseball Hall of Fame, falling one vote short of a unanimous selection by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. He received 396 of 397 votes.
Mariano Rivera, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame unanimously last year, said the Yankees captain was a leader they always could count on and that “no moment was too big.”
“It’s going to be a very special day standing next to Derek in Cooperstown this summer,” Rivera wrote. “He had such a deep desire to win, and that singular commitment to his team is what mad him so special. I feel so fortunate that he was a teammate and friend for my entire career, and I congratulate him on this great honor.”
Andy Pettitte said Jeter’s consistent excellence separated him from other great players.
“A couple of things separated you from all the other players with — and I played with a lot of great, great players,” Pettitte wrote. “One was the will to win and the intensity you took to the field every day. Another was how you were always so steady. Being a big-league player can be an emotional roller coaster. … It was an honor watching you prepare each and every single day.
“You were the one player that I played with that never gave away an at-bat. It’s why you’re going where you’re going. I’m proud of you.”
Jorge Posada, now working for Jeter with the Marlins as special adviser to baseball operations, said he knew early on the shortstop had the potential to be a Hall of Famer.
“Derek has done everything that a baseball player should do,” Posada wrote. “He played the game the right way. He played the game to win. He played the game with no excuses.
“I saw it from day one — I thought he would be a Hall of Famer. Congratulations, Derek, you deserve it.”
Some of Jeter’s other long-time Yankees teammates sent their congratulations, too.
“HOF! Congrats my brother,” Robinson Cano tweeted. “One of the greatest to ever do it. Enjoyed every moment on and off the field. #Re2pect”
“Congrats big Bro!” CC Sabathia tweeted. “Hell of a career and undisputed hall of famer. Honored to have played this game with you. Re2pect.”