Derek Jeter to retire at end of 2014 season

Longtime Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter officially announced on Wednesday that he will retire at the end of the 2014 season. The nineteen-year major league veteran broke the news by issuing a statement on his official Facebook page.

"And the thing is, I could not be more sure. I know it in my heart. The 2014 season will be my last year playing professional baseball."

Derek Jeter's official retirement announcement. #Yankees pic.twitter.com/0utVfXcPY6

— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) February 12, 2014

Jeter, who will turn 40 in June, signed a one-year, $12 million contract with the Yankees at the beginning of the offseason and will soon begin his twentieth season in the Bronx. Although injuries limited him to just seventeen games last season, he is expected to return to the Yankees in good health for this season.

Since breaking into the majors in 1995, Jeter has won five World Series titles and been named to twelve All-Star teams while being named Rookie of the Year in 1995 and World Series MVP in 2000. He has been the Yankees' captain since 2003.

Jeter will likely get a farewell tour similar to the one Mariano Rivera received last season, in his final year with the Yankees. Jeter is the last member of the "Core Four" to retire, joining Jorge Posada (2011), Andy Pettitte (2013) and Rivera (2013).