How Derek Jeter Got His Nicknames

Even if you're not the biggest fan of baseball, you've still very likely heard of Derek Jeter. That's because he's undeniably one of the most notable figures ever to play the sport professionally. There's also no denying the fact that he's perfectly capable of creating a buzz both on and off the field.

When it comes to his time as a top athlete, Jeter gained fame as a shortstop for the New York Yankees, going on to be named an all-star and win multiple World Series, among many other impressive and notable accomplishments, per Biography. As for his personal life, the public is certainly interested in every last tidbit of trivia. Whether it's the fact that Jeter kept a big secret from everyone or the truth about his romantic past — not to mention how much money Jeter has made over the years — people can't seem to keep his name out of their mouths. The MLB star subtly acknowledged his bona fide superstardom while being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in September 2021. "It's been a hell of a ride," he said, according to ESPN.

In fact, Jeter is so famous that he's known by more than just his legal name. He actually has a pair of nicknames that have incredibly significant meanings.

You may have heard Derek Jeter referred to as Mr. November, but do you know how he got that nickname? Back in 2001, the baseball star was playing in game four of the World Series, per SportsCasting. His team, the New York Yankees, were facing off against the Arizona Diamondbacks, with the score tied up at the bottom of the 10th (yes, 10th) inning when Jeter hit a momentous home run to win the game.

"When I first hit it, I had no idea whether it was going to go out, but once it goes out, it's a pretty special feeling," Jeter apparently said that same night, according to MLB. "I've never hit a walk-off home run before, so it was a special experience." Fans agreed, which is why he was honored with the name Mr. November.

But wait! There may be something slightly off about that name. That's because, as SportsCasting points out, the game that brought about the moniker was actually in October — or at least it started in October. The game began on October 31, but ended up going past midnight, marking the first time the MLB had ever played in November, as the World Series was delayed one week due to 9/11. The clock had passed midnight when Jeter hit his home run, so it was apt for the scoreboard to flash "Mr. November." Since fellow Yankees legend Reggie Jackson was already Mr. October, Mr. November became Jeter's nickname. Or, at least, one of his nicknames.

Two years after Derek Jeter hit his epic walk-off home run during the World Series, he took on a special role with his team when he became the captain of the New York Yankees, according to Bleacher Report. That's how he ended up being known as The Captain.

However, The Captain is now more than just Jeter's nickname. It's such a vital representation of who he is to his fans that it is also the name of his upcoming ESPN Films docuseries, according to Deadline. With Spike Lee on board as the project's executive producer, "The Captain" will delve deep into what the star overcame to make it to the top of major league baseball.

"This is my story, the story of a kid with big dreams," Jeter said while talking about the docuseries in May 2021, per New York Daily News. "The challenges and conflicts that made me question if I was on the right path. The story of success, but even more, about what it took to find that success. What it takes to live, breathe and be No. 2." If that latter point seems like Jeter was saying that he's never quite the best, you should probably know that No. 2 was his number as a Yankee. Nevertheless, plenty of fans surely still consider him to be No. 1.