brief eye contact with his mother, who was watching from the stands, before the start of the baseball match at Yankee Stadium.
According to Derek, his mother is the driving force behind his and his sister's determination to achieve their goals. He added that their mother taught them not to give up on their desires.
Dorothy Jeter and her husband Charles Jeter attend the Liquid Pool Lounge for Derek Jeter's Celebrity Invitational event at Aria Resort & Casino on April 20, 2016, in Las Vegas, Nevada. | Source: Getty Images
Despite their conservative upbringing— where they were required to sign a handwritten contract about dating, curfew hours, rules about alcohol, study habits, and getting good grades—Derek said they grew up similar to the TV show "The Cosby Show." Derek said of Dorothy and her husband:
"We had fun, always did many things together. My parents were involved in everything my sister and I did."
Charles and Dorothy Jeter attend the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony inductee of their son Derek Jeter at Clark Sports Center on September 8, 2021, in Cooperstown, New York. | Source: Getty Images
Charles Jetter, born in Alabama, was a baseball player when he was younger. He played shortstop for the University of Tennessee baseball team while there. He stopped playing, however, when he decided to further his studies in psychology.
When his son was four years old, Charles and his family moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan, so that he could finish his master's degree at West Michigan University.
Derek Jeter and his father Charles Jeter smiles on stage on November 4, 1996. | Source: Getty Images
The former college athlete also earned a doctorate in sociology. Charles chose to devote his time and energy to his work as a counselor for young people dealing with substance abuse.
Because of how much of an influence he was on his son, Derek kept playing baseball and turned it into a career. Derek stated that his father is an optimistic person. The MLB star added:
"He's been a very, very vital part of my career and obviously my entire life. He always tried to find a positive, so that's what I try to do."
Derek Jeter and his father Charles Jeter attend the Minnesota Timberwolves vs New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden on December 23, 2012, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
When he was younger, Derek said he and his dad would drive to Tiger Stadium in Michigan for two hours to watch his favorite team, the New York Yankees, play. He promised his father at that time that he would play baseball someday.
Derek became a successful shortstop player for the New York Yankees for 20 years before retiring from the sport in 2014. Many of his colleagues regarded him as one of the best players in MLB.
Charles was lucky to have a son who shares his love of the game. Besides being a counselor, the proud father served as vice-chairman and board member of his son's Turn 2 Foundation.
Dorothy and Charles appear content that despite the meticulous upbringing they provided for their children, Derek Jeter and his sister have achieved success and happiness in life.
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