New York – Derek Jeter, the living legend of the New York Yankees, once again moved fans to tears. After surprising everyone by refusing to build a statue in front of Yankee Stadium to transfer the budget to a youth center in the Bronx, Jeter has now continued to write another touching chapter in his humanitarian journey.
At the age of 51, instead of enjoying retirement with the halo of a Hall of Famer and invaluable privileges, Jeter has just announced that he will spend most of his pension and accumulated income from MLB to establish a new charity called “Home Plate Foundation.” This fund will focus on supporting the homeless in New York and many big cities where he used to play his career.
“Baseball has given me everything. But there are people out there who have never had a roof to call their own. I want to give them a chance, even if it is just a small start.” – Jeter choked up during the press conference.
The event quickly spread throughout the Yankees and MLB fan communities. On social media, many shared images of Jeter hugging children in the Bronx during previous visits, with the caption: “Captain, forever our Captain.”
The “Home Plate Foundation” not only provides meals and temporary shelter but also focuses on skills training, career counseling and psychological support – a comprehensive model that Jeter believes will help change fates rather than just short-term relief.
A close friend, former teammate Jorge Posada, emotionally shared: “We have seen Derek sacrifice everything for the team. Today, he sacrificed his personal halo to bring light to the homeless. That makes us all the more proud of him.”
Many fans still remember that in 2024, the Yankees proposed to build a bronze statue worth millions of dollars to honor Jeter – the captain who brought home 5 World Series championships, more than 3,400 hits and a glorious era of victory. But Jeter refused. Instead, he proposed to transfer all the money to renovate the Bronx Youth Center, which currently serves thousands of disadvantaged teenagers.
Jeter’s new decision this time is like an extension of that journey. A bronze monument can last for centuries, but the monument he wants to build is a monument of heart, of sharing and empathy.
“My grandmother once said: ‘You can’t take fame with you after leaving the field, but you can leave kindness for the next generation.’ Today, I want to do what she said.” – Jeter choked up, making the whole audience fall silent.
Yankees fans no longer debate whether Jeter deserves a statue. He has created a living monument in the hearts of millions – not in bronze, but in acts of kindness that touch the heart.
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